Knowledge and perception of Helicobacter pylori screening among parents or guardians of junior high school students: A two-year survey in Yokosuka City, Japan

Abstract

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a risk factor for stomach cancer. While H. pylori screening for junior high school students is becoming more widespread in Japan, there is limited research on understanding of H. pylori among the parents or guardians and their willingness to have their children participate in such screening programs. In this study we conducted a questionnaire survey to assess knowledge of H. pylori and attitudes toward H. pylori screening among parents or guardians of first-year junior high school students in Yokosuka City, Kanagawa Prefecture, in 2022 and 2023. The survey included questions on basic knowledge of H. pylori, sources of medical information, awareness of junior high school H. pylori screening, and willingness to have their children screened, and reasons for their willingness. A total of 1,073 people (participation rate: 18.9%) responded to the survey. Among them, 81.1% of respondents had a high level of knowledge about H. pylori (5-7 out of 7 questions answered correctly), but the percentage of correct answers about the route of transmission and H. pylori infection in the family was lower than the other items: 61.6% and 47.8%, respectively. Overall, 88.9% of respondents indicated that they would like their children to undergo screening. Multivariable regression analysis showed that being more knowledgeable about H. pylori and being in their 40s were significantly associated with the desire to have their children screened. In conclusion, parents or guardians of junior high school students were relatively knowledgeable about H. pylori, and the majority were willing to have their children screened. These results suggest that providing caregivers with more information about H. pylori is important for conducting the screening in junior high school students.