University of Dar es Salaam School of Health Sciences

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Browsing University of Dar es Salaam School of Health Sciences by Subject "1945-1990"

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    Oral health in relation to socio- economic status in Ilala district, Tanzania
    (University of Dar es Salaam, 1989) Mandari, Godbless Joshua
    An epidemiological study was carried out in 1987 in Ilala district (Tanzania) on a population sample of 1942 (aged 3 to 70 yrs). A stratified random cluster (ten-cell unit) sampling method was used. The study aimed to: 1) assess the importance of socio-economic status (SES) as a determinant of occurrence of caries and periodontal disease in a developing country, and 2) find out a measure of SES that identifies population groups with increased risk for caries and periodontal diseases. A total of 1163 subjects were interviewed and examined. Oral health variables (caries, calculus, gingivitis and periodontal pockets) were correlated with SES determinants (education, occupation, income and material possession). The SES variables were formed on a household basis. Caries prevalence among the population was low. Occurrence of caries in deciduous and in permanent dentitions in children correlated positively with their SES. In adults only a tendency for higher caries prevalence among higher SES groups than among lower SES groups existed. A negative correlation between caries and SES among the elderly was noted. Occurrence of calculus and gingivitis correlated strongly and negatively with SES in all age-groups except among the elderly population. These findings show that in a developing country belonging to high SES group increases the risk of caries, particularly among children. This indicates that a change in diet and use of sugar in the society is taking place. In addition, higher levels of periodontal disease occur among the underprivileged than among the more privileged. Socioeconomic status, regardless of what aspect of it if examined, is an important determinant of caries occurrence and periodontal conditions. An urgent multi-sectorial health promotion action in the society is called for. Oral health promotion through control of the various cause-related factors like sugar (health policy) and increase mass awareness (health education integrated to PHC) should be intensified.