A Binary Logistic Regression Analysis of Socio-Demographic Predictors for Helicobacter pylori Infection in Southern Libya

Abstract

Despite the global burden of Helicobacter pylori, which frequently exceeds 50% in developing nations, localized epidemiological data for Southern Libya remains profoundly scarce. To address this critical knowledge gap, this cross-sectional study employed an inferential statistical framework to identify demographic predictors of H. pylori positivity within a cohort of 184 patients in the Fezzan region (2025–2026). Socioeconomic and demographic covariates were rigorously analyzed using Pearson’s Chi-square and Mann-Whitney U tests, followed by a binary logistic regression model to isolate independent predictors. The investigation revealed an overall prevalence of 14.7%, with multivariate modeling establishing university-level education (OR = 3.42; 95% CI: 1.45–8.07; P = 0.005) and age > 50 years (OR = 2.87; 95% CI: 1.28–6.44; P = 0.010) as the primary independent determinants of infection. Conversely, gender and residence exerted no statistically significant influence on risk (P > 0.05). These findings delineate a distinct socio-demographic risk profile in Southern Libya, suggesting that regional public health interventions should prioritize targeted screening and diagnostic protocols for these high-risk cohorts. Consequently, further research is warranted to elucidate the specific socio-environmental drivers underpinning the unexpected association between higher education and increased infection susceptibility in this geographic context.