Open AccessPrevalence of Dental Caries, its Associated Risk Factors and Treatment Needs among School Aged Children at Kimironko II Primary School, Kigali, Rwanda
Author(s) -
Donat Uwayezu,
Peace Uwambaye,
Anne Marie Uwitonze,
Julienne Murererehe,
Emmanuel Nzabonimana,
Marie Claire Ineza,
Eliane Ingabire Harelimana,
Usiel Nsabimana,
Deeva Singh,
Emma Nizeyimana,
Eugene Nshimiyimana,
Joselyne Muhawenimana,
Rene Tuyibuke,
Eustache Ntigura,
Agnes Gatarayiha
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
rwanda journal of medicine and health sciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2616-9827
pISSN - 2616-9819
DOI - 10.4314/rjmhs.v4i3.3
Subject(s) - medicine , oral hygiene , outreach , incidence (geometry) , dentistry , oral health , oral examination , environmental health , family medicine , physics , political science , law , optics
BackgroundDental caries is still a health problem worldwide, its prevalence and incidence are associated with various factors like age, sex, social status, dietary patterns and oral hygiene habits.MethodologyA Secondary data collected from outreaches done by UR CMHS, School of Dentistry at Kimironko II Primary School was analyzed. This secondary data had been obtained using structured questionnaires with close ended questions. Clinical examination had also been done to gather information. SPSS statistical software package version 22 was used to analyse data from Community outreach done at Kimironko Primary School in August 2019.ResultsThe prevalence of dental caries of 42.4% was found among children aged 6-12 years old of Kimironko II Primary School. The researchers found the following to be statistically significantly associated with prevalence of dental caries: gender (p=0.042), dental visits (p=0.001), and use of chew sticks or miswaks (p=0.041). Females were 1.4 times more likely to develop dental caries (OR: 1.462; 95% CI: 1.16-2.017; p=0.021) and children who did not use toothpick were 2 times more likely to develop dental caries (OR: 2.149; 95%CI: 1.251-4.395; p=0.036), whereas visiting a dental practitioner was protective against dental caries (OR: 0.362, 95% CI: 0.251-0.516; p=0.001).ConclusionDental caries is prevalent among children of Kimironko II Primary School. Appropriate preventive measures should be taken to protect those found to be exposed.Rwanda J Med Health Sci 2021;4(3):341-346