Perceived need and use of oral health services among adolescents and adults in Tanzania

Abstract

The perceived need and use of oral health services among adolescents and adults in Tanzania were studied. One region from each of the country's five zones was chosen at random. Final sample selection (n = 1061) was done in the main towns of the selected regions. Participants were interviewed using a structured questionnaire which dealt with perceived need for dental treatment and use of oral health services and several demographic variables. Frequency tables were computed and analyzed. Odds ratios were calculated based on 2 x 2 tables and logistic regression models. The majority, 82% (95% CI: 79-85%) had sought treatment due to pain or for tooth extraction. Perceived need, dissatisfaction with own oral health status and use of oral health services were slightly more frequent among women. Bleeding gums had no explanatory value on the dependent variables. The strongest explanatory variable in a logistic regression model for perceived need and dissatisfaction with own oral health status was previous dental treatment with an estimated odds ratio of 6.4 (95% CI: 4.7-8.7) and 7.2 (95% CI: 5.3-9.9), respectively. People living nearest a treatment facility tended to use the services more [odds ratio 1.3 (95% CI: 0.8-2.1)]. A very strong relation between previous dental problems and use of oral health services was found, namely an odds ratio of 68.8 (95% CI: 39.0-121.4). The findings in the study may be useful in the attempts to implement Tanzania's National Plan for Oral Health.

Fatores relacionados à autopercepção da necessidade de tratamento odontológico entre idosos

“…One study showed that self-perception was greater among those who had not used dental services, 4 while others showed it was greater among those who had. 3,9,16 In the present investigation, an association was found in univariate analysis that did not persist in multivariate analysis.…”

“…asking whether the interviewees did or did not have a need for dental treatment. Other authors 16,23 have asked about the existence of any dental problems or have constructed variables that combined the need for treatment with the existence of signs and symptoms of diseases. In an investigation conducted among elderly people in Florida (United States), 11 the variable was constructed from the following questions: "Do you think you need any dental care today or over the next 14 days?…”

“…8,18 Several studies have investigated the objective and subjective factors associated with self-perceived need for treatment, but none of these were grounded in a prior theoretical model. 4,6,8,11,16,23 The present study had the aim of analyzing the factors associated with self-perceived need for dental treatment among elderly people.…”

Oral health knowledge, perceptions and behaviour among nursing students in a Nigerian tertiary hospital

“…It is reported that women have better oral health behaviour than men (12,13). Women brush their teeth 4 times more than men (11), while others (14) found no differences in brushing frequency between genders.…”

Primary oral health care and smiles for life curriculum adaptation for nurses training in low income countries: A case of Tanzanian context

“…[22] The most common oral care carried out in public dental clinics is tooth extractions. [23][24][25] Additionally, the limited number of dental clinics that offer restorative care in Tanzania has been as an obstacle towards accessing restorative services when needed. [24,25] There are other barriers to restorative services including shortage of equipment, lack of funds to purchase materials and dental materials not being available.…”