Epidemiology of H. pylori Infection

Helicobacter pylori infection is one of the most common chronic bacterial infections globally, affecting nearly half of the world’s population. Although the global infection rate has shown an overall declining trend over the past few decades, its epidemiological characteristics still demonstrate significant heterogeneity across different regions and populations. A comprehensive understanding of the epidemiological status of H. pylori infection, including its geographical distribution, transmission patterns, strain characteristics, age distribution, antibiotic resistance, and associated risk factors, is of great significance for formulating effective prevention and control strategies. This chapter will systematically elaborate on the epidemiological characteristics of H. pylori infection worldwide, analyze key factors influencing infection distribution, and explore current prevention and control strategies and their effectiveness.