Survey on Awareness of Helicobacter pylori and Gastric Cancer in the Japanese Population Using an Internet Survey

Abstract

Background: Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection is a significant risk factor for gastric cancer. The effective implementation of strategies to mitigate gastric cancer requires widespread dissemination of information regarding H. pylori, diagnostic methods, and preventive measures. Despite the high incidence of gastric cancer, efforts to disseminate this information are lacking in Japan. Therefore, our survey aimed to evaluate H. pylori and gastric cancer awareness in Japan and identify factors associated with H. pylori knowledge, focusing on health literacy.

Materials and methods: This nationwide cross-sectional survey was conducted online. We developed a questionnaire on H. pylori awareness and knowledge across four domains: infection risk, H. pylori-related diseases, testing and treatment, and gastric cancer-related problems. In addition, we evaluated health literacy using an established health literacy scale. Multivariable regression analysis was conducted using the H. pylori knowledge score as the dependent variable.

Results: Over half of the 3095 respondents were aware of H. pylori infection (56.4%). The overall correct response rate for the H. pylori knowledge questions was 45.7%, with varying performances across the knowledge domains: infection risk (57.3%), H. pylori-related diseases (50.9%), testing and treatment (37.5%), and gastric cancer (44.4%). The regression models identified the following factors as associated with a higher H. pylori knowledge: older age, higher health literacy scores, previous H. pylori testing, and healthcare professional status. Among participants without prior H. pylori testing, higher H. pylori knowledge scores were associated with a greater willingness to undergo H. pylori screening.

Conclusions: To our knowledge, this is the first nationwide assessment of H. pylori infection and gastric cancer awareness in Japan. Health literacy and previous H. pylori screening were significantly associated with H. pylori knowledge. The development of educational strategies for these factors may be desirable for gastric cancer prevention.

Keywords: H. pylori; awareness; gastric cancer; health literacy; infection.