Background H pylori infection is one of the major causes of health problems with considerable morbidity and mortality. H pylori seroprevalence is common in populations with poor standards of sanitation and hygiene.

Methods A two-stage cluster sampling technique was employed to draw the required sample. A crowding index with three categories (low, moderate, high) was constructed by dividing the number of individuals per household by the number of the rooms. Assessment of socioeconomic status (SES) was calculated by Hollingstead Index (HI).

Results Serum of 1976 children was tested. H pylori seropositivity in 1–5 years were 53.5%. It increased with moderate crowding index (CRI) of 2–4 to 45.9% and to 51.2% with CRI >4. In middle SES, seropositivity was 331 (50.5%) while in lower SES 500 (47.1%). Multivariate analysis showed H pylori seroprevalence was high in 6–10 and 11–15 years (OR: 1.5, 95% CI 1.2 to 1.9 and OR: 1.9, 95% CI 1.56 to 2.47, respectively), in lower-middle SES (OR: 1.6, 95% CI 1.2 to 2.1 and OR: 1.5, 95% CI 1.10 to 2.0, respectively) and uneducated fathers (OR: 1.58, 95% CI 1.27 to 1.95).

Conclusion H pylori seropositivity increased with age, in low-middle SES and is related to father's educational status.