Factors attributing to the prevalence of dental caries among students of Basajjabalaba Secondary School in Ishaka municipality, Bushenyi district
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Date
2017-10
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Publisher
Kampala International University, School of Health Sciences
Abstract
Dental caries and periodontal diseases are the major health problems and indicators of oral health burden all over the world. In Sub-Saharan Africa, dental caries incidence has been estimated to be 1,000,000 to 14,000,000 cases per year with a mortality rate of 70-90%. In Malawi, out of 1,726,065 OPD visits, 57,234 were due to oral health problems. The research specifically assessed student, environmental and dietary related factors that attribute to the prevalence of dental caries. The research included thirty (30) respondents using cross-sectional and descriptive study designs employing both a questionnaire and an interview guide to collect data. Data was manually analyzed and presented in tables. The study findings showed that 02 (07%) of respondents brush teeth using a stick, majority 24 (80%) said that they brush teeth once a day, 07(70%) treated dental diseases at a cost above 50,000= and more than three quarters 16(84%) said that they add sugar to make the tea sweet. Basing in the study findings above, the factors attributing to the prevalence of dental caries were; use of sugary foods and beverages, lack of dental services in health facilities, lack of oral hygiene equipment, and high costs of dental services were identified as major factors attributing to the prevalence of dental caries among students. The recommendations were laid down under student, school administration and government. Students should clean their teeth using the recommended items, they should also have constant dental checkups, school administration should put oral care policies in place, regulate sugary foodstuff in school and the Government of Uganda should train more dentists and avail more dental instruments in health facilities.
Description
A research report submitted to Uganda Nurses and Midwives Examination Board in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the award of a Diploma in Nursing
Keywords
Dental caries, Basajjabalaba Secondary School, Students, Bushenyi-Ishaka Municipality, Bushenyi district