Knowledge and Practices on Periodontal Health among Adults, Misungwi, Tanzania

Abstract

The level of knowledge and practices on periodontal health of 388 adults in Misungwi District, Tanzania, was assessed. Analysis included frequency distributions and the chi-square test at a p value of 0.05. Many more participants were males (n=197; 50.8%) and of younger age group (n=215; 55.4%) and having seven years of education (n=257; 66.2%). Higher number of participants reported owning a mobile phone (n=289; 74.5%) and a radio (n=298; 76.8%), while few (n=45; 11.6%) had their houses connected to electricity. Study participants who were males (n=101; 51.3%), had more than seven years of schooling (n=67; 72.3%), who owned a mobile phone (n=143; 49%), owned a radio (n=144; 48.3%), and resided in houses having electricity (n=37; 82.2%) were statistically significantly more knowledgeable on periodontal health when compared to their counterparts. A statistical significant difference was seen in oral health practices conducive to periodontal health among those who were males (n=133; 67.0%), having more than seven years of education (n=78; 83.0%), owning a mobile phone (n=189; 65.4%), owning a radio (n=195; 65.4%), and residing in house having electricity (n=35; 77.8%). This study observed that participants who were males, owned a mobile phone, owned a radio, resided in houses having electricity, and having more than seven years of education were more knowledgeable and had more conducive oral health practices on periodontal health.

The oral health and periodontal diseases awareness and knowledge in the Iraqi population: Online‐based survey

“…Similar findings were reported by another study conducted in UAE, which also showed no effect of employment status on the level of OH knowledge scores (Abu-Gharbieh, Saddik, El-Faramawi, Hamidi, & Basheti, 2019). In addition to the profession, formal education was found to be positively correlated with knowledge about OH and PD, this has been highlighted in other published studies (Azodo & Omili, 2014;Nyorobi et al, 2018;Zavras, Vrahopoulos, Souliotis, Silvestros, & Vrotsos, 2002). Our findings suggested the presence of association between educational level and level of oral hygiene and PD knowledge, which is reflected by a significantly higher awareness, the same pattern, was reported by previous surveys (Macek et al, 2010;Márquez-Arrico et al, 2019;Nyorobi et al, 2018).…”

“…In addition to the profession, formal education was found to be positively correlated with knowledge about OH and PD, this has been highlighted in other published studies (Azodo & Omili, 2014;Nyorobi et al, 2018;Zavras, Vrahopoulos, Souliotis, Silvestros, & Vrotsos, 2002). Our findings suggested the presence of association between educational level and level of oral hygiene and PD knowledge, which is reflected by a significantly higher awareness, the same pattern, was reported by previous surveys (Macek et al, 2010;Márquez-Arrico et al, 2019;Nyorobi et al, 2018). Individuals with unfavorable habits such as smoking, that is known to cause deterioration of OH and systemic health, will potentially show lower concern about their levels of oral hygiene, this can be seen in the findings of the current study and has been clearly shown in a number of other studies(Abu-Gharbieh et al, 2019).…”

“…This is not the case in developing countries, which are lacking in these types of program (Kandelman et al, 2012). Level of awareness of appropriate OH practices and levels of knowledge about PD seem to be affected by a range of factors including gender, age, profession, educational level, systemic conditions, and smoking (Ehizele, Chiwuzie, & Ofili, 2011; Nyorobi, Carneiro, & Kabulwa, 2018; Oberoi, Mohanty, Mahajan, & Oberoi, 2014; Peltzer & Pengpid, 2014; Umeizudike, Onajole, & Ayanbadej, 2015).…”

Oral health awareness, attitude towards dental treatment, fear of infection and economic impact during COVID‐19 pandemic in the Middle East

“…22 In contrast, a positive relationship was observed with other independent variables such as gender and educational level. 17,[23][24][25][26] Indeed, fear is a protective feeling that arises when facing a life-threatening condition such as infectious diseases. 27 In this study, the respondents reported a fear of contracting COVID-19…”

“…Indeed, confrontation with threats to life negatively affects the OH status, as demonstrated by a study on refugees from war zones despite their reasonable awareness of oral hygiene 22 . In contrast, a positive relationship was observed with other independent variables such as gender and educational level 17,23‐26 …”