TITLE:
Oral Health of Young Adolescents in Addis Ababa—A Community-Based Study
AUTHORS:
Hanna Yemane Berhane, Alemayehu Worku
KEYWORDS:
Oral Health, Dental Caries, Young Adolescents, Ethiopia
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Preventive Medicine,
Vol.4 No.8,
August
18,
2014
ABSTRACT:
Introduction:
Deteriorating oral health is an emerging public health concern in developing
countries, yet little attention has been given to oral health in most
sub-Saharan countries. The extents of caries, periodontal diseases and the
associated risk factors have not been widely studied at the community level.
Purpose: To assess the type and magnitude of oral health diseases as well as associated
risk factors among young adolescents in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Methods: A
community-based cross-sectional study was conducted on a sample of 658 children
aged 10 - 14 years in Addis Ababa. Households for the study were selected
through a multistage cluster sampling procedure. Data collection was carried
out in December 2011 through interview and oral examination which was carried
out by dental health professionals. Prevalence and 95% confidence interval was
calculated. Factors associated with oral health conditions were identified
using logistic regression. Results: The prevalence of dental caries was 47.4% (95%
CI: 43.6% - 51.2%). Age, sweets intake, tooth cleaning, poor oral hygiene and
being from a poor household were significantly associated with having dental
caries. The prevalence of periodontal disease was 35.4% (95% CI: 31.7% - 39.0%)
and it was associated with: having a mother with low education level, and poor
oral hygiene. The prevalence of bad mouth odor was 4.4% (95% CI: 2.8% - 5.9%),
and oral trauma 2.1% (95% CI: 1% - 3.2%). Conclusion: The prevalence of both
periodontal disease and dental caries is alarmingly high. The findings indicate
the need for large scale public education program to motivate regular dental
check up, and proper oral hygiene practices. The study also indicates the need
to strengthen oral health services using affordable and accessible outlets.