Helicobacter pylori in Melbourne Chinese immigrants: Evidence for oral‐oral transmission via chopsticks

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Abstract
The Helicobacter pylori seroprevalence in a representative population of 328 Melbourne Chinese immigrants (162 men and 166 women) aged 25 years and older were studied. The population consisted of Chinese people born in China/Hong Kong (n= 110, 33.5%), Vietnam (n= 79, 24.1%), Malaysia/Singapore (n= 102, 31.1%), and elsewhere (n= 37, 11.3%). The overall seroprevalence of H. pylori was 59.5%; 60.5% in men and 58.4% in women. Gender specific analysis showed associations between higher seroprevalence and several socio‐demographic factors; in men, age (P< 0.0001), lower education level (P< 0.002), cigarette smoking (P< 0.042), the use of antibiotics (P< 0.015) and chopsticks (P< 0.047), and in women, lower socioeconomical status [education level (P< 0.030), gross household income (P< 0.0001) and occupational status (P< 0.0001)] and use of chopsticks (P< 0.002). Seroprevalence differed between immigrants of various birthplaces (P< 0.001); those born in Malaysia/Singapore (43.1%) were lower than those born in China/Hong Kong (68.2%), Vietnam (68.4%), and elsewhere (59.5%). Immigrants of various birthplaces also differed in their pattern of socio‐demographics.Multivariate analyses showed that risk factors for H. pylori infection within the Melbourne Chinese immigrants were, in men, age (B = 1.081) and birthplace (B = 1.769) and, in women, household income (B = 0.541) and use of chopsticks (B = 1.654). This study suggests person‐to‐person transmission of H. pylori via the oral‐oral route with ethno‐specific food practices an important risk factor.

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