**3. Results**

### *3.1. Sample Characteristics and Distribution of HPPI between and within Obese and Non-Obese*

The demographic characteristics for both groups are shown in Table 1. There were no significant differences in the age of both obese and none obese patients (*p* = 0.307) with a male predominance in both groups (66.5% and 64.4%). The total mean of BMI for both groups was 35.57 ± 13.97 and there were statistical significant differences in the mean BMI between the obese and none obese (BMI = 23.13 ± 3.80 for none obese vs. 48.04 ± 8.10 for obese, *p* < 0.0005). As demonstrated in Table 1, the total prevalence of *H. pylori* positive-infection (HPPI) was 58% (95% CI = 54–61%). A statistical significant difference in HPPI between obese and non-obese was observed (225 (66.2%) for obese vs. 169 (49.7%) non-obese, OR (95% CI) = 1.98 (1.45–2.70), *p* < 0.0005). Within the gender groups, females were found to slightly predominate in HPPI. Males and females with respect to HPPI among obese patients was non-significant (146 (64.6%) vs. 79 (69.3%), OR = 1.23 (0.76–2.00), *p* = 0.388) and likewise among non-obese (104 (47.5%) vs. 65 (53.7%), OR (95% CI) = 1.28 (0.82–2.00), *p* = 0.271). However, between groups, Table 1 shows that both males and females were statistical significantly different in HPPI (*p* < 0.0005, 0.014, respectively). Unpaired *T*-Test and Chi squared tests revealed that age and gender did not associate with HPPI (*p* = 0.659, 0.200, respectively) and increases in BMI associated significantly with increases in HPPI (*p* < 0.0005).

**Table 1.** Characteristics of obese ( *N* = 340) and none-obese ( *N* = 340) and distributions of HPPI between groups and gender.


SD = Standard deviation; F (%) = Frequency with percentage; HPPI = *H. pylori* positive infection; OR (95% CI) = Odd ratio with 95% confidence interval.

### *3.2. Multivariable Analyses of Adjusted Factors of HPPI*

Multivariable binary logistic regression revealed that BMI remained significant factor in HPPI when modelled with both age and gender (OR = 1.022, 95% CI = 1.01–1.03, *p* < 0.0005) (Table 2).



\* AOR (95% CI) = adjusted odd ratio and 95% confidence interval.
