Abstract:

Objective · To investigate the Helicobacter pylori infection in the ocean seamen, and to provide suggestions to prevent and treat diseases associated with Helicobacter pylori infection. Methods · 3 022 people including 1 960 ocean seamen and 1 062 people working on the ground, underwent medical tests in Yuanyang Branch of Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, from July 2014 to July 2015. They were examined by 13C-urea breath test. The infection rate of Helicobacter pylori was compared. Both ocean seamen and people working on the ground were divided into four groups according to the age. The relationship between age and infection rate was analyzed. Results · The infection rate of Helicobacter pylori is 39.74% in ocean seamen, and 24.01% in people working on the ground. The infection rate of Helicobacter pylori is significantly higher than that in people working on the ground (χ2=75.752, P <0.001). Morever, the infection rate was higher in the ocean seamen than that in people working on the ground in each age group (P < 0.05). With the increase in age, the infection rate of Helicobacter pylori was decreased in people working on the ground. But there was no significant difference between the age and the infection rate of Helicobacter pylori in the ocean seamen. Conclusion · Compared with people working on the ground, the ocean seamen is a susceptible population of Helicobacter pylori infection. More attention should be paid to prevent and treat Helicobacter pylori infection-associated diseases in this sort of population.

Key words: ocean seamen, Helicobacter pylori, medical test