Socio-demographic disparity in oral health among the poor: a cross sectional study of early adolescents in Kilwa district, Tanzania

Abstract

BackgroundThere is a lack of studies considering social disparity in oral health emanating from adolescents in low-income countries. This study aimed to assess socio-demographic disparities in clinical- and self reported oral health status and a number of oral health behaviors. The extent to which oral health related behaviors might account for socio-demographic disparities in oral health status was also examined.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted in Kilwa district in 2008. One thousand seven hundred and forty five schoolchildren completed an interview and a full mouth clinical examination. Caries experience was recorded using WHO criteria, whilst type of treatment need was categorized using the ART approach.ResultsThe majority of students were caries free (79.8%) and presented with a low need for dental treatment (89.3%). Compared to their counterparts in opposite groups, rural residents and those from less poor households presented more frequently with caries experience (DMT>0), high need for dental treatment and poor oral hygiene behavior, but were less likely to report poor oral health status. Stepwise logistic regressions revealed that social and behavioral variables varied systematically with caries experience, high need for dental treatment and poor self reported oral health. Socio-demographic disparities in oral health outcomes persisted after adjusting for oral health behaviors.ConclusionsSocio-demographic disparities in oral health outcomes and oral health behaviors do exist. Socio-demographic disparities in oral health outcomes were marginally accounted for by oral health behaviors. Developing policies and programs targeting both social and individual determinants of oral health should be an urgent public health strategy in Tanzania.

Oral hygiene status of school adolescent children in semi-urban areas

“…Also, in a recent study conducted in Tanzania, Mashoto et al reported that 21.9% of school children never brushed their teeth and 32.9% met the standard criteria. [24] This is totally comparable to the results we obtain since only 4% of the people were irregular in their brushing habits. But a study in Denmark showed that very good habits have been inculcated since 68% of the people brushed at least twice daily and 11% dental flossing.…”

Oral hygiene status in a general population of Iran, 2011: a key lifestyle marker in relation to common risk factors of non-communicable diseases

“…After adjusting for gender, age and residential area there seem an ascending trend between health-related behaviors and economic status. Likewise, in Tanzania, utilizing tooth brush was less common among adolescents from lower economic status (52). Also in a Korean study there was significant correlation between regular tooth brushing habits and individual's income (48).…”

“…Among school age children (6-14 years old) 14.3% brush their teeth twice a day, 9.4% use floss daily and only 2.7% meet both criteria. In a recent study in Tanzania, Mashoto et al reported that 21.9% of their study population which were schoolchildren never brushed their teeth and only 32.9% met the standard criteria for tooth brushing (52). In their latest resolution, WHO urged all communities to develop and implement oral health promotion programs in school children as part of activities in health-promoting schools (53).…”

Assessing causal effects of early life‐course factors on early childhood caries in 5‐year‐old Ugandan children using directed acyclic graphs (DAGs): A prospective cohort study

“…The wealth asset index was assumed to have direct effects on dental attendance, 38 family sugar consumption, 38 anthropometric status, 39,40 family oral hygiene, 38 breastfeeding duration 41 and breastfeeding exclusivity. 42 Maternal education was assumed to have direct effects on dental attendance, 42 family sugar consumption, 38 marital status, anthropometric status, 43 family oral hygiene, 38 breastfeeding duration 42 and EBF.…”