Oral health-seeking behavior among different population groups in Enugu Nigeria

Abstract

Introduction This study investigates the oral health-seeking behaviour of households and its influence on demand for dental caries treatment services in Enugu state Nigeria. Methods A quantitative descriptive cross-sectional study was used to explore the oral health seeking pattern of 378 urban and 348 rural household respondents in Enugu state Nigeria. The study explored dental caries treatment-seeking, oral health behavior of respondents using the three dynamics of the Andersen and Newman health utilization model; predisposing, enabling and need factors. Findings Recommendations from community members (48.9%), severity of disease (22.1%), and cost of treatment (19.4%) all influenced where oral healthcare was first sought. Gender and type of occupation, influenced positive oral health-seeking behavior (p<0.05). The least poor socioeconomic status (SES) group, sought dental treatment in the private dental clinics, while the very poor and most poor SES groups used traditional healers, home treatment and patent medicine dealers more. Dental fillings and extractions were generally the most accessed treatment options for dental caries. The tendency for all the SES groups (especially the least poor), to choose tooth extraction more as a treatment option for dental caries was influenced by the oral health awareness level of respondents and the cost of dental fillings. (p<0.05). Conclusion The findings suggest that interventions to create increased oral health awareness targeted at education on preventive strategies, appropriate time and place to seek oral health care and dental caries treatment, as well devising and implementing health financing options such as dental insurance would enable individuals to seek appropriate treatment for dental caries on time. In addition, it will reduce the proportion of people visiting unorthodox healthcare providers for their oral health problems or choosing cheaper but inappropriate treatment options.

Online oral health information seeking experience and knowledge, attitudes and practices of oral health among iranian medical students: an online survey

“…Many interventions can be applied to improve the oral health seeking behaviors such as: developing the target population`s education and awareness particularly on applying preventive strategies, implementing and developing health financing interventions and insurance packages and creating opportunities for increasing the access of the population for appropriate time and place of seeking oral health caries treatments [7].…”

Reasons for (not) choosing dental treatments—A qualitative study based on patients’ perspective

“…They estimated dental treatments as “costing an arm and a leg” (group 2, #5) and concluded that they had to choose between “you go twice a year on vacation [..] [or] I have teeth in my mouth” (group 2, #5). Although, this finding might not be representative for Germany, the reason was also identified in several international studies [ 12 , 38 , 40 ]. Coverage of dental health care by statutory health insurances plays a major role in this context.…”

Association of parental factors and delayed dental care for children

“…These results differ from published literature, which suggests that females are more likely to seek care for all members of the family. 20 Similarly, literature shows that parental educational level significantly influenced the utilization of services and children's dental visits. 21 Parents with low educational achievements were likely to delay or miss their children's dental visits.…”

“…Compared to similar studies, parents sought dental treatment when the children's needs were severe and once affordable options have been explored. 20 This oral health seeking behaviour underpins the role of enabling factors such income and education in dental visitations. Income is a significant enabling factor and barrier to access dental care.…”

“…24 The poor face exorbitant travel and dental service costs in spite of their catastrophic state of living. 20,25 Unsurprisingly, parents considered acute medical conditions as urgent compared to dental pain and conditions (OR =1.27). Dental care is not prioritised in poor settings; it is often perceived as additional or optional treatment except for dental extractions, which are deemed necessary and ultimate .…”