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Assessment of factors associated with dental caries in rural communities in Rakai District, Uganda

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Abstract

To assess factors associated with dental caries in rural communities in Rakai District, Uganda. This was a cross-sectional survey in 18–62 year olds, randomly selected from three sub-counties: Kyalurangira (n = 121), Kabira (n = 133), and Kacheera (n = 67). The participants were clinically examined for caries using Decayed Missing Filled Teeth (DMFT) index and were administered to a structured questionnaire. In the whole material, caries prevalence (DMFT score > 0) was 57.3% and the mean DMFT score was 2.3. The M-component contributed 61% of the DMFT scores. Using bivariate analyses, age, consumption of sugared snacks and tobacco smoking were directly and significantly associated with development of dental caries. Tooth cleaning and previous dental visits were indirectly and significantly associated with dental caries. In binary logistic regression analyses, the participants who were older were four times and those who consumed sugared snacks were 11 times more likely to develop dental caries as compared to their counterparts. The participants who cleaned their teeth or who had visited the dentists were less likely to develop dental caries as compared to their counterparts. The odds ratios were 0.6 and 0.5, respectively. Based on stepwise multiple linear regression analyses, age, previous dental treatment, consumption of sugared snacks, tooth cleaning and tobacco smoking explained a total of 46% of the variations in DMFT scores. Caries prevalence and severity were relatively low in this population. Although a number of independent variables were significantly associated with caries they gave a modest overall multivariate model.

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Acknowledgement

The authors were grateful to the participants who took part in the study. The local council officials and the district administrators were instrumental in mobilising the participants. The Sida/SAREC financially supported the study.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they there is no conflict of interest. We have no financial relationship with Sida/SAREC that sponsored the research.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Dentistry, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, P. O. Box 7072, Kampala, Uganda

    Charles Mugisha Rwenyonyi & Louis Mugambe Muwazi

  2. Department of Anatomy, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda

    William Buwembo

Authors
  1. Charles Mugisha Rwenyonyi
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  2. Louis Mugambe Muwazi
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  3. William Buwembo
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Correspondence to Charles Mugisha Rwenyonyi.

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Rwenyonyi, C.M., Muwazi, L.M. & Buwembo, W. Assessment of factors associated with dental caries in rural communities in Rakai District, Uganda. Clin Oral Invest 15, 75–80 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00784-009-0363-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00784-009-0363-4

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