ObjectivesWe have reported previously thatHelicobacter pyloriinfection is widespread among adults in Siberia, in whom prevalence rates range from 70% to 90%. The present study was undertaken to determine the seroprevalence ofH. pyloriinfection and its relation to social factors in a community-based population of adolescents in Novosibirsk, Western Siberia.MethodsAll students in forms 9 to 11 of four randomly selected secondary schools participated. A total of 423 students (180 boys, 243 girls; age, 14–17 years) completed structured questionnaire concerning their lifestyle, and sera were tested forH. pyloriusing enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (Pyloriset®–New EIA-G; Orion Diagnostica, Finland). Personal information, including parental history, educational level, occupation, and smoking habits, were collected via a questionnaire.ResultsOverall, the seroprevalence ofH. pyloriinfection was 56.3%. Age, sex, smoking, alcohol consumption, number of children and pets in the household, and family history of gastric diseases were not associated withH. pyloripositivity. The predictors of infection were dwelling without running hot water supply and sewage (odds ratio [OR] = 2.4; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.2–4.8), father's occupation as a manual worker (OR = 2.7; 95% CI, 1.5–5.0), mother's occupation as a manual worker (OR = 1.8; 95% CI, 1.0–3.0), father's lower educational attainment (OR = 2.1; 95% CI, 1.2–3.6), and father's smoking (OR = 1.8; 95% CI, 1.1–3.2).ConclusionsThe prevalence ofH. pyloriseropositivity among adolescents in Russia is higher than in developed countries. The infection is associated with lower socioeconomic status.