Self-reported oral health at baseline of the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging.

OBJECTIVES: To compare the prevalence of poor self-reported oral health (SROH) and dental service-use in a representative sample of Canadian residents, and to identify associations between SROH and psychosocial determinants of health at baseline of the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging. METHODS: Data from baseline interviews from 2010 to 2015 involving 93% of 51 388 adults (n = 47 761) were weighted to compare the prevalence of oral health characteristics adjusted for age, sex, socioeconomics, general health and residence. SROH was assessed as 'excellent', 'very good', 'good', 'fair' or 'poor', and dichotomized as 'fair/poor' and 'good/very good/excellent'. Multivariable logistic regression was used to assess the association of fair/poor oral health with psychosocial determinants of health. RESULTS: Most participants reported 'good/very good/excellent' oral health (92.5%), natural teeth (92.0%) and dental service-use in the previous year (79.6%), yet over 10% had discomfort when eating. Reports of 'fair/poor' oral health were significantly more frequent among participants who had dental concerns, had low socioeconomic status, smoked tobacco or reported poor general health. Dental service-use and tooth loss differed by province. The odds of poor/fair SROH were high (odds ratio ≥1.5) among participants who avoided foods, did not use dental services frequently, had low incomes, smoked tobacco, were depressed, felt unhealthy or had multiple chronic conditions, but by neither sex or age. There were no interprovincial differences. CONCLUSIONS: Most Canadian residents feel in good oral health and use dental services. Oral health inequality is evident between different socioeconomic groups and between healthy and unhealthy people. SROH is strongly associated with socioeconomic and general health status but not with place of residence. However, there were substantial differences in reports of tooth loss and dental service-use across provinces.

Identification of Essential Containers for <i>Aedes</i> Larval Breeding to Control Dengue in Dhaka, Bangladesh

Dengue fever (DF), one of the most important emerging arboviral diseases, is transmitted through the bite of container breeding mosquitoes <i>Aedes aegypti</i> and <i>Aedes albopictus</i>. A household entomological survey was conducted in Dhaka from August through October 2000 to inspect water-holding containers in indoor, outdoor, and rooftop locations for <i>Aedes</i> larvae. The objective of this study was to determine mosquito productivity of each container type and to identify some risk factors of households infested with <i>Aedes</i> larvae. Of 9,222 households inspected, 1,306 (14.2%) were positive for <i>Aedes</i> larvae. Of 38,777 wet containers examined, 2,272 (5.8%) were infested with <i>Aedes</i> larvae. Containers used to hold water, such as earthen jars, tanks, and drums were the most common containers for larval breeding. Tires in outdoor and rooftop locations of the households were also important for larval breeding. Although present in abundance, buckets were of less importance. Factors such as independent household, presence of a water storage system in the house, and fully/partly shaded outdoors were found to be significantly associated with household infestation of <i>Aedes</i> larvae. Identification and subsequent elimination of the most productive containers in a given area may potentially reduce mosquito density to below a level at which dengue transmission may be halted.

Identification of essential containers for <i>Aedes</i> larval breeding to control dengue in Dhaka, Bangladesh

Dengue fever (DF), one of the mostimportant emerging arboviral diseases, is transmitted through the bite ofcontainer breeding mosquitoes <i>Aedesaegypti</i> and <i>Aedes albopictus</i>. Ahousehold entomological survey was conducted in Dhaka from August throughOctober 2000 to inspect water-holding containers in indoor, outdoor, androoftop for <i>Aedes</i> larvae. Theobjective of this study was to determine mosquito productivity of eachcontainer type and to identify some risk factors of the households to beinfested with <i>Aedes</i> larvae. Of 9222 households inspected, 1306(14.2%) were positive for <i>Aedes</i> larvae. Of 38 777wet containers examined, 2272 (5.8%)were infested with <i>Aedes</i> larvae. Containers used for reserving water,such as earthen jars, tanks, and drums were the most essential containers forlarval breeding. Tires in outdoor and rooftop of the households were alsoimportant for larval breeding. Although present in abundant, less importancewas indicated for buckets. Independent household, having water storage systemin the house, and having fully/partly shaded outdoor premise were foundsignificantly associated with household infestation of <i>Aedes</i> larvae. Identification and subsequent elimination of the most productive containers ina given area may potentially reduce mosquito density below a level at whichdengue transmission may be halted.