Risk factors of Helicobacter pylori infection among military patients: a hospital-based cross-sectional study

Background: Military personnel have a potentially increased risk of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection, which is a major cause of multiple upper gastrointestinal diseases. However, the risk factors of H. pylori infection in this specific population remain unclear. Methods: Patients who were consecutively admitted to our department between June 2020 and September 2021 and underwent H. pylori tests were screened. Demographic data, socioeconomic information, medical history, personal habits, hygienic habits, and family -related information were reviewed. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to identify the independent risk factors of H. pylori infection. Odds ratio (OR) with its 95% confidence interval (CI) was calculated. Results: In this retrospective study, a total of 298 patients were included, of whom 59 were military patients. The overall prevalence of H. pylori infection was 30.5% (91/298), and multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that poor personal habit (OR =2.069; 95% CI: 1.142-3.750; P=0.01) and poor hygienic habit (OR =5.767; 95% CI: 2.498-13.312; P<0.001) were independently associated with an increased risk of H. pylori infection. The prevalence of H. pylori infection in military patients was 35.6% (21/59), and multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that poor hygienic habit (OR =6.542; 95% CI: 1.260-33.959; P=0.02) was independently associated with an increased risk of H. pylori infection. But gender, marital status, military service duration, number of people living in the same dormitory, education level, history of drinking coffee, living in the rural area, and family history of H. pylori infection were not significantly associated with H. pylori infection. Conclusions: Poor hygienic habit may increase the risk of H. pylori infection in military personnel. Improvement of hygienic habits should be recommended in this specific population.