Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40165120›Full record

ArticleBMC pediatrics2025

Prevalence, associated factors, and clinical outcomes of Helicobacter pylori infection in pediatric populations in a war-torn urban environment in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo: a mixed methods study.

Emmanuel Busha Tibasima, Patrick Kumbowi Kumbakulu, Lundula Penge Chirac, Omari Ramazani, Tsumbu Byaruhanga Patrick, Kazembe Kamalo Olga, Gabriel Kakuru Shamavu, Mitangala Ndeba Prudence, Banga Mseza

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in BMC pediatrics, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Potassium-competitive acid blockers forFrontiers in cellular and infection microbiology · 2026
    Review
  2. Detection ofOpen veterinary journal · 2025
    Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

9 authors.

Emmanuel Busha TibasimaDepartment of Paediatrics and Child Health, Université Libre Des Pays Des Grands Lacs, Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo.
Patrick Kumbowi KumbakuluDepartment of Paediatrics and Child Health, Faculty of Clinical Medicine and Dentistry, Kampala International University, Ishaka-Bushenyi, Uganda.
Lundula Penge ChiracDepartment Of Pediatric and Child Health Samaritan Doctor'S Pediatric Centre, Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo.
Omari RamazaniDepartment Of Pediatric and Child Health Samaritan Doctor'S Pediatric Centre, Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo.
Tsumbu Byaruhanga PatrickDepartment Of Pediatric and Child Health Samaritan Doctor'S Pediatric Centre, Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo.
Kazembe Kamalo OlgaDepartment Of Pediatric and Child Health Samaritan Doctor'S Pediatric Centre, Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo.
Gabriel Kakuru ShamavuDepartment of Paediatrics and Child Health, Faculty of Clinical Medicine and Dentistry, Kampala International University, Ishaka-Bushenyi, Uganda.
Mitangala Ndeba PrudenceDepartement of Epidemiology, Université Officielle de Ruwenzori, Butembo, Democratic Republic of Congo.
Banga MsezaDepartment of Paediatrics and Child Health, Faculty of Clinical Medicine and Dentistry, Kampala International University, Ishaka-Bushenyi, Uganda. bangamseza@gmail.com.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-7817-5252

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundHelicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection remains a significant public health concern in developing countries, especially among pediatric populations where data are limited. In war-torn regions like the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, the impact of H. pylori infection on children's health may be exacerbated due to disrupted healthcare systems and limited resources.

methodsThis mixed-methods study, incorporating both cross-sectional and prospective cohort designs, was conducted at Samaritan Doctor's Pediatric Centre between January 2020 and December 2022. The study enrolled 323 children aged 0 to 15 years presenting with gastrointestinal symptoms. Sociodemographic and clinical characteristics were assessed via questionnaire, and H. pylori stool antigen rapid tests were performed. Multivariate regression analyses were conducted. Participants were followed up and outcomes recorded after 30 days.

resultsOf the 323 participants, 119 (36.80%) tested positive for H. pylori infection. Independent factors associated with H. pylori infection included age between 37 and 59 months (aOR: 9.76, 95% CI: 2.62-36.40, p = 0.001), caretaker's occupation (aOR: 2.58, 95% CI: 1.19-5.54, p = 0.016), presence of pets at home (aOR: 0.371, 95% CI: 0.18-0.74, p = 0.005), drinking unsafe water (aOR: 0.13, 95% CI: 0.04-0.42, p = 0.001), anemia (aOR: 4.80, 95% CI: 1.12-20.53, p = 0.034), and presence of red blood cells in stool (aOR: 30.84, 95% CI: 13.97-68.10, p < 0.0001). Thirty days post-initial treatment with first-line medications (omeprazole, clarithromycin, and amoxicillin), 19.30% of patients remained positive for H. pylori.

conclusionChildren with occult blood in stool and microcytic anemia should be tested for H. pylori using stool antigen tests. Treatment with clarithromycin should be guided by local antibiotic resistance data. Hygiene education, including safe water practices and managing pet contact, is crucial due to their association with H. pylori infection.

Indexed as

Helicobacter InfectionsHelicobacter pyloriAdolescentAnti-Bacterial AgentsArmed ConflictsChildChild, PreschoolCross-Sectional StudiesDemocratic Republic of the CongoFemaleHumansInfantInfant, NewbornMalePrevalenceProspective StudiesAnti-Bacterial AgentsAssociated factorsEastern Democratic republic of CongoGastrointestinal symptoms treatment outcomesHelicobacter pyloriPediatric populationsPrevalence

Identifiers

PMID40165120
PMCPMC11956220

What Socratic holds

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LicenceCC BY
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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.