Prevalence of Helicobacter pylori Infection and Its Relationship with ABO Blood Group and Haemoglobin Genotype among Pregnant Women in Onitsha, Nigeria

Abstract

Helicobacter pylori infection remains a major global health concern, particularly in low- and middle-income countries where environmental and socioeconomic factors favor its transmission. Although host genetic factors such as ABO blood group and haemoglobin genotype have been implicated in susceptibility to infectious diseases, their relationship with H. pylori infection remains incompletely understood. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of H. pylori infection and evaluate its association with ABO blood group and haemoglobin genotype among pregnant women in Onitsha, Nigeria. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 112 pregnant women. Blood samples were tested for H. pylori antibodies using a rapid immunochromatographic test. ABO blood group and haemoglobin genotype were also analyzed, using standard laboratory techniques. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and chi-square tests. The prevalence of H. pylori infection was 15.2%. Blood group O positive (76.8%) and genotype AA (84.8%) were the most prevalent. No statistically significant association was observed between H. pylori infection and ABO blood group (χ² = 0.12, p=0.73) or haemoglobin genotype (χ² = 0.35, p =0.839). The findings suggest that while H. pylori infection remains present among pregnant women in this setting; its occurrence is not significantly influenced by ABO blood group or haemoglobin genotype. Further large-scale studies are recommended to explore other host and environmental determinants.