The Current Situation, Prevalence and Challenges of Helicobacter Pylori Infection in Africa

Wismayer R

Published on: 2023-07-28

Abstract

Introduction: The treatment protocol used has been shown to determine the effectiveness of eradication of H. Pylori. In Africa, treatment failures are mainly due to antibiotic resistance and inadequate health-care infrastructure. The aim of the review is to facilitate a working plan for treatment of H. Pylori in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Discussion: This review describes the challenges in Africa in diagnosing and treating H. Pylori infection together with the lack of treatment guidelines and lack of proper protocol for diagnosis. Other challenges are an inadequate healthcare infrastructure. In Africa there is a high prevalence of H. Pylori and antibiotic resistance increases the burden of the infection. Whilst different non-invasive and invasive tests are used for diagnosis there is a need to reach a common guideline in Sub-Saharan Africa for the treatment and diagnosis of H. Pylori.