Abstract

Infections that affect the stomach or intestines are referred to as gastrointestinal infections (GI) and are considered to be a common global health problem. Low income and middle-income countries report higher mortality rates due to GI and this is especially experienced among children aged five years and below. Somalia as a country is at a crossroads of poverty, conflict and environmental changes that are having detrimental effects on the population. A current study on the prevalence of gastric infections for the population within Bosaso is therefore required to understand the prevalence of the disease and the current measures used in order to come up with effective preventative and treatment measures. The findings of the study indicate a high prevalence of gastric infection within the community as 77% of the respondents had gone to hospital for treatment, with symptoms reported including loss of appetite, pain in the upper abdomen under the ribs, vomiting, weight loss and nausea or indigestion were the most common symptoms. Prevention and treatment should therefore focus on these common symptoms. The current treatments used by the majority of the respondents that were considered effective include antibiotics, oral rehydration drinks, anti-vomiting or antidiarrhea drugs and intravenous fluid replacement. The findings of the study also indicate that the foods that should be reduced in order to prevent gastric infections include salty foods, juice and sweet foods while bottled juice, soda and black tea or coffee were drinks that were found to trigger gastric infections. Most of these foods are eaten during breakfast and lunch and are mostly homemade. Measures to improve homemade food handling and cooking should be used to reduce the prevalence of gastric infection among the community since the majority of the people do not miss these meals.