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Oral health behavior and factors associated with poor oral status in Qatar: results from a national health survey
Author(s) -
Cheema Sohaila,
Maisonneuve Patrick,
AlThani Mohamed Hamad,
AlThani Al Anoud Mohammed,
Abraham Amit,
AlMannai Ghanim Ali,
AlEmadi Abdulla Asad,
AlChetachi Walaa Fattah,
Almalki Badria Ali,
Hassan Khalifa Shams Eldin Ali,
Haj Bakri Ahmad Omar,
Lowenfels Albert,
Mamtani Ravinder
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
journal of public health dentistry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.64
H-Index - 63
eISSN - 1752-7325
pISSN - 0022-4006
DOI - 10.1111/jphd.12209
Subject(s) - medicine , oral health , quality of life (healthcare) , logistic regression , national health and nutrition examination survey , population , health information national trends survey , environmental health , dental floss , smokeless tobacco , national health interview survey , demography , family medicine , dentistry , health care , tobacco use , health information , nursing , sociology , economics , economic growth
Objectives Oral health is a crucial determinant of quality of life. We aimed to determine oral health condition and factors associated with poor oral status in the adult national population of Qatar. Methods We used data from the World Health Organization supported STEPS (STEPwise approach to Surveillance) Survey conducted by the Supreme Council of Health, Qatar in 2012. A total of 2,496 Qataris (1,053 men, 1,443 women) answered the national survey. The Rao‐Scott Chi‐Square test was used to analyze oral health characteristics and multinomial logistic regression to assess risk factors. Results The self‐perceived oral status of approximately 40 percent of respondents was either “average” or “poor” rather than “good.” Poor oral status was more often reported by women (OR = 1.93; 95%CI = 1.30‐2.80), by older (OR = 3.38; 95%CI = 1.59‐7.19) and less educated respondents (OR = 3.58; 95%CI = 2.15‐5.96). Other risk groups included people with diabetes (OR = 1.87; 95%CI = 1.24‐2.81), smokeless tobacco users (OR = 3.90; 95%CI = 1.75‐8.68), or ever tobacco users (OR = 1.66; 95%CI = 1.03‐2.67). Oral health status appeared to be independent of diet, BMI status, and history of hypertension. Difficulties and behaviors related to oral health were more frequently reported by women than by men. These included pain ( P < 0.001), difficulty chewing ( P < 0.001), and discomfort over appearance of teeth ( P < 0.001). Participants used toothbrushes, toothpicks, dental floss, and miswak to maintain oral hygiene. Conclusion Our results provide evidence that oral health remains a public health concern in Qatar.