Knowledge, and Practice of Helicobacter Pylori Infection Among Primary Healthcare Physicians in Sohag Governorate

The most common cause of chronic gastritis is Helicobacter pylori, which can also cause serious gastroduodenal diseases in some patients. These include gastric cancer, gastric mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma, and gastric and duodenal peptic ulcer disease (PUD). Strong correlations have been shown between H. pylori and a number of extra-gastric illnesses, including vitamin B12 deficiency, idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, and unexplained iron-deficiency anemia. Identifying and eliminating H. pylori in people suffering from these conditions is also advised. Furthermore, neurological disorders, cardiovascular disorders, hepatobiliary disorders and autoimmune disorders may be associated with H. pylori infection. Age, ethnicity, degree of hygiene, and social and economic circumstances are risk factors for H. pylori infection An elevated prevalence of gastrointestinal diseases or symptoms (for example, dyspeptic symptoms) in populations where H. pylori infection is high, implies that a large number of subjects receive primary health care.Therefore, it is essential that primary care physicians have the appropriate knowledge for making adequate decisions and preventing incorrect practices that result in elevated costs and absolutely no health benefits for the population.

Since day-to-day clinical practice demonstrates that many healthcare disciplines surprisingly deal with H. pylori infection in the absence of local guidelines on this matter, there has been no study conducted in Sohag Governate evaluated knowledge, practice and attitude about H. pylori among healthcare physicians as of the time I conducted this survey.