Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41691179›Full record

SynthesisBMC infectious diseases2026

Prevalence, risk factors, and endoscopic findings among individuals infected with Helicobacter pylori in Tanzania: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Hyasinta Jaka, Semvua B Kilonzo, Igembe Nkandala, Ladius Rudovick, Irun Luchius, Violet Dismas Kajogoo, Violet Kayamba, Mathias Mlewa, Peter Kibunto, Anthony Liwa and 3 more

Abstract readSystematic ReviewMeta-Analysis
PubMed Full text at PMC Publisher
In one paragraph

Synthesis in BMC infectious diseases, 2026. 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. Article
  2. Review
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

13 authors.

Hyasinta JakaInternal Medicine Department, Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciences, PO Box 1464, Mwanza, Tanzania. yasintaliwa5@gmail.com.
Semvua B KilonzoInternal Medicine Department, Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciences, PO Box 1464, Mwanza, Tanzania.
Igembe NkandalaInternal Medicine Department, Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciences, PO Box 1464, Mwanza, Tanzania.
Ladius RudovickInternal Medicine Department, Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciences, PO Box 1464, Mwanza, Tanzania.
Irun LuchiusInternal Medicine Department, Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciences, PO Box 1464, Mwanza, Tanzania.
Violet Dismas KajogooDepartment of Clinical Trials, Diabetes Association, PO Box 65201, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
Violet KayambaUniversity of Zambia School of Medicine, UTH Nationalist Road, PO Box 50110, Lusaka, Zambia.
Mathias MlewaDepartment of Microbiology and Immunology, Mwanza University, Kishiri, PO Box 3068, Mwanza, Tanzania.
Peter KibuntoDepartment of Surgery, Mwanza College of Health and Allied Sciences, PO Box 476, Mwanza, Tanzania.
Anthony LiwaDepartment of Clinical Pharmacology, Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciences, PO Box 1464, Mwanza, Tanzania.
Musa Ian JoelCommunity Health and Development Foundation (CHADF), PO. Box 5101, Mwanza, Tanzania.
Mariam M MiramboDepartment of Microbiology and Immunology, Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciences, PO Box 1464, Mwanza, Tanzania.
Stephen E MshanaDepartment of Microbiology and Immunology, Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciences, PO Box 1464, Mwanza, Tanzania.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundHelicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection is prevalent and is the known cause of chronic gastritis, peptic ulcer, lymphoma, and gastric cancer in humans. Studies in Tanzania have documented prevalences, risk factors, and endoscopic findings of H. pylori infection. This systematic review and meta-analysis report the prevalence, risk factors, and endoscopic findings of H. pylori infection in Tanzania.

methodsWe conducted a systematic literature search in PubMed, Cochrane Library, Google Scholar, African Journals Online (AJOL), and Scopus for studies published from 2000 to April 30, 2024, following the Preferred Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale was used to assess the quality of the studies. The I2 test statistic was used to assess heterogeneity among studies using the random-effects model while funnel plot used to identify publication bias. Stata 15 was used to calculate the pooled prevalence and odds ratios for factors associated with H. pylori, along with 95% confidence intervals.

resultsFifteen studies were included and, a total of 6276 participants were included in the final analysis with the pooled prevalence of 54.3% (95% CI: 38.4–69.7). Based on regional prevalence estimates, the highest prevalence was observed in Mara (92.01%; 95% CI: 89.90–93.70). The odds of having H. pylori were significantly higher in diabetic patients compared to hypertensive patients. (OR: 2.34 (95%CI: -1.91–6.59). A decreasing trend over time was noted, as indicated by the studies conducted between 2003 and 2014 (prevalence: 67.19%; 95% CI: 24.35–97.35) and 2015–2024 (prevalence: 36.01%; 95% CI: 25.6–47.12), respectively. The highest infection risk was observed among individuals with gastric or duodenal ulcers (pooled prevalence: 57.90%; 95% CI: 19.01–92.01).

conclusionH. pylori infection is highly prevalent in Tanzania, with endoscopic findings in dyspeptic patients frequently including duodenal ulcers, gastric ulcers, and gastric cancer. In light of this high burden, targeted government interventions such as screening, eradication programs, and public health education campaigns are warranted to reduce infection rates. Furthermore, additional research on the geospatial distribution of H. pylori and community awareness of preventive measures is essential. CLINICAL TRIAL: Not applicable.

Indexed as

Helicobacter InfectionsHelicobacter pyloriEndoscopyHumansPrevalenceRisk FactorsTanzaniaAfrican enigmaEndoscopyHelicobacter pyloriInfectionMeta-analysisPrevalenceRisk factorSystematic review

Identifiers

PMID41691179
PMCPMC13011317

What Socratic holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

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.