Abstract
H. pylori, a bacterium that lives in the stomach, is a major cause of stomach cancer. Stomach cancer is three to six times more common in Māori and Pacific people, and H. pylori infection accounts for the majority of that disparity. International studies show that testing for and treating H. pylori with antibiotics can reduce stomach cancer incidence.
Modelling studies in NZ suggest such a programme would be cost-effective for Māori and probably Pacific people, and would decrease inequities. This study will provide crucial knowledge informing the possible implementation of a test and treat programme in NZ. Furthermore, the study results will inform the global community to support wider implementation of the H. pylori test-and-treat strategies (ie, via the International Agency for Research on Cancer Working Group Meeting in 2025).
We will provide up-to-date estimates of the prevalence of H. pylori infection among Māori, Pacific and non-Māori non-Pacific people, assess different tests for H. pylori and the extent of antibiotic resistance. We will also explore risk factors for H. pylori infection and investigate co-factors that may be important in stomach cancer development.