Relationship Between Socio-Demographic Profile, Parity and Dental Caries Among a Group of Nursing Mothers in South East, Nigeria

ABSTRACT Objective: To determine the prevalence and risk indicators of caries among nursing mothers in a tertiary hospital. Material and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study of 408 nursing mothers aged 15 to 52 years who brought their children for immunization in a tertiary hospital in Enugu, Nigeria. Data on socio-demographic profile, parity, dental visits were collected. The presence of dental caries was recorded using the World Health Organization criteria. Results: The prevalence of dental caries was 11.0%, and the mean DMFT was 0.18. There was a statistically significant association between level of education (p<0.001), past dental visit (p<0.001) and the occurrence of dental caries. Caries was more prevalent in the mandibular teeth than the maxillary teeth. The left mandibular first and second permanent molars had the highest occurrence of dental caries. Missing (M) component of the DMFT index was highest and the care index was low. The significant predictors of caries among nursing mothers were fair oral hygiene and having below tertiary education. Conclusion: The prevalence of caries and the care index were both low in this study population. The significant predictors of dental caries were a tertiary level of education and poor oral hygiene. Incorporating oral health education during postnatal care can help reduce dental caries' occurrence and complications among nursing mothers in the study population.

Risk Factors of Early Childhood Caries among Children in Enugu, Nigeria

Objective: To determine the prevalence and associated risk factors of early childhood caries (ECC). Material and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study of 429 preschool children aged five years and below in Enugu East Local Government Area, Enugu, Nigeria. Data on socio-demographic profile, dental visits, brushing frequency, oral hygiene status and snacking habit of the children were obtained. The presence of dental caries was recorded by using the World Health Organization criteria. Results: The prevalence of early childhood caries was 9.8% and the mean dmft score was 0.37. Bivariate analysis showed significant association between age (p<0.001), socio-economic status of the child's family (p=0.04), oral hygiene status (p<0.001), dental visits (p=0.01) snacking (p=0.01) and early childhood caries. Multivariate regression analysis showed that age (OR= 4.3, CI=1.17-15.6; p=0.03), high socioeconomic status (OR= 3.7, CI= 1.46-9.47; p=0.01) and fair oral hygiene (OR= 0.10, CI=0.26-0.39, p=0.001) were significant predictors of early childhood caries in this population. Conclusion: The prevalence of ECC was high in this population. Age, high socioeconomic status and fair oral hygiene were risk predictors of ECC. Early and prompt access to oral health education and preventive dental care for children by mothers and caregivers can reduce the occurrence of ECC.