Burden of Helicobacter pylori infection in children and adults in Vietnam: A systematic review and meta-analysis of prevalence

BACKGROUND: Although Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) prevalence has declined in many high-income countries, data from Vietnam remain limited and fragmented. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to estimate the pooled prevalence of H. pylori infection in Vietnamese adults and children. METHODS: A systematic search of PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and Web of Science was conducted for observational studies published between January 2000 and September 2025. Eligible studies reported H. pylori prevalence in Vietnamese populations using validated diagnostic methods. Random-effects meta-analyses were used to calculate pooled prevalence estimates with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Subgroup analyses were conducted by age group, geographic area, and study setting. RESULTS: Twenty-five studies met inclusion criteria, comprising 8204 adults and 4641 children. The pooled prevalence of H. pylori infection was 58.7% (95% CI: 49.9%-67.2%) in adults and 77.2% (95% CI: 67.1%-86.0%) in children, with high heterogeneity across studies (I2 > 98%, P < .001). Among adults, prevalence was 56.4% in those aged <50 years and 65.8% in those ≥50 years (P = .455). Prevalence was lower in rural areas (46.8%) compared to urban areas (60.7%) (P = .045), with no significant difference between community- and hospital-based settings (P = .723). Funnel plot assessment did not indicate evident publication bias. CONCLUSION: H. pylori infection remains common in the populations represented in this study, particularly among urban and healthcare-seeking groups in Vietnam. These findings underscore the need for expanded surveillance and monitoring to better characterize H. pylori infection patterns and inform appropriate response strategies.