Dental health problems and treatment-seeking behavior among special need school students in Amhara region, Ethiopia

Abstract

Background Oral diseases are a public health concern with a significant impact on the quality of life of individuals. Children with special needs face significant challenges in carrying out oral hygiene due to their disability, and they are more prone to poor oral health and illnesses. This study assessed dental health problems and treatment-seeking behaviors of special needs school students in Amhara region, Ethiopia. Methods An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted from November 2020 to April 2021, in eight special needs schools located in the Amhara Regional State, Ethiopia. A total of 443 randomly selected special needs students were included. Data were collected using a structured interview-administered questionnaire. Bivariable and multivariable logistic regression models were fitted to identify factors associated with oral health problems and treatment-seeking behavior. A p-value of less than 0.05 was used to declare statistical significance. Results The prevalence of self-reported dental health problems and treatment-seeking behaviors among special needs school students was 46.1% (95% CI: 41.4%, 50.7%) and 60.3% (95% CI: 53.4%, 66.8%), respectively. Place of residence, grade level, religious affiliation, years lived with disability, and knowledge of dental health-related risk behaviors were associated with dental health problems. Whereas, place of residence, being hearing impaired, and having prior information about dental health problems were associated with dental treatment-seeking behavior. Conclusions A significant number of special needs students reported dental problems and about 40% of them did not seek dental treatment. Oral hygiene practice and access to dental care services are important in the prevention of dental problems. Hence, oral hygiene promotion programs focusing on oral hygiene practice and dental treatment services are needed in special needs schools. It is also strongly suggested to incorporate oral health related information in health-related academic lessons to enhance optimum oral health among special needs students.

Oral Health Status of Hearing-Impaired Students Attending Special Need Schools in Amhara Region, Ethiopia: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…The sample size was determined using a single population proportion formula for another study published to BMC oral health journal entitled “Dental health problems and treatment-seeking behavior among special need school students in Amhara Region”, 20 where the following assumptions were considered: P (50% proportion of dental health problem among special need student), d (Margin of error: 5%), Zα/2 (the value of the standard normal curve score corresponding to the given confidence interval = 1.96) corresponding to 95% confidence level, and 15% non-response rate. In this study, we have included all (149) hearing-impaired special needs students.…”

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“…Группа исследователей Abrahamsson, K.H., Aghazadeh, A., Madhav K., Kundabala M., Manuel S. акцентирует внимание на контроле уровня физиологического и психологического стресса у таких пациентов. Исследователи основываются на мнении, что организм реагирует на стресс повышенным выделением катехоламинов (адреналина и норадреналина) из мозгового вещества надпочечников в сердечнососудистую систему [35,37,50]. Это, в свою очередь, может увеличить нагрузку на сердце, повысить частоту сердечных сокращений и силу сокращения миокарда, а также увеличить потребность миокарда в кислороде у пациентов с артериальной гипертензией или ишемической болезнью сердца [3,39].…”

“…В литературе имеются данные по изучению стоматологического статуса у детей с нарушением слуха в различных странах. Ряд зарубежных авторов, проводивших исследования, отмечают более высокие показатели распространенности (35-95%) и интенсивности кариеса зубов, низкий уровень гигиены рта, наличие заболеваний пародонта, зубочелюстных аномалий, недостаточные знания по гигиене рта у детей с ОВЗ, в том числе с нарушением слуха, в сравнении со здоровыми [27,28,30,31,33,35].…”

“…Авторы указывают, что учащиеся 5-8 классов имели больше стоматологических проблем, чем младшие школьники. При этом обучающиеся с нарушением слуха в 3,7 раза чаще обращались за стоматологической помощью, чем дети с нарушением зрения; распространенность кариеса у школьников с нарушением слуха старших классов школ Эфиопии была в 4-5 раз выше, чем у школьников младших классов, и значительно выше, чем у здоровых [35].…”

Oral health problems and dental service utilization in children with hearing impairment: a narrative review

“…About 82% students did not get adequate support from their family members to maintain good oral health. 10 On a quantitative cross-sectional study using structured questionnaire administered to dentist and people with disabilities, one-third of people with disabilities, 36.8% of them with hearing disability, a large percentage only seeks dental treatment for dental emergencies only, rather than for preventive and restorative care. The difficulty in communicating with the dentist during clinical care reported by the majority of deaf people and the lack of interpreters at the clinic necessitates the presence of a family member or a listener to intermediate the communication.…”