Browsing by Author "Uki, Fatma Abdalla"

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    Accessibility and use of oral health care information among university students at muhimbili university of health and allied sciences and university of Dar es Salaam in Tanzania
    (University of Dar es Salaam, 2017) Uki, Fatma Abdalla
    This study examined the accessibility and use of oral health care information among university students in Tanzania, particularly at Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences (MUHAS) and University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM). The study was a descriptive case study and combined qualitative and quantitative methodologies where self- administered questionnaire, interview and observation methods were employed to collect data for the study. A sample of 191 undergraduate students and 6 dental surgeons was involved in the study. Mapping of the available sources of information for students in the two Universities showed that orthodontists were most sources to obtain oral health care information where by colleagues and traditional therapists as the least reliable sources. Available sources of oral health information have been revealed in this study where majority of students reported that the information obtained was useful. Oral hygiene practices of the students have been shown in the study and it was reported that more than half of students brush once a day, before breakfast and use toothpaste to maintain oral hygiene. Students were knowledgeable about bad smell while knowledge on gum disease, oral health plaque and prevention on gum bleeding were scarce. However, a large proportion of MUHAS students knew the signs of gum disease than their counterpart. The study also discovered that majority of students visited professional oral health care when they had a tooth ache though fear was the main reason for not visisiting professional oral health care. Based on the findings, the study concluded that students were knowledgeable about bad smell, however; there was a little knowledge on oral health plaque gum disease, and its prevention. The study recommends oral health education should be established for university students to increase students’ awareness and knowledge of oral hygiene and oral health care.