Abstract
PurposeThe present study aimed to investigate the prevalence and risk factors of ECC among preschool children in Monastir, Tunisia.MethodsThe survey was designed as a cross-sectional study carried out between February and April 2021 in the main region of Monastir, Tunisia. A total of 381 preschool children were randomly selected using a three-stage clustered sampling technique from 10 daycares. The dental caries were diagnosed using WHO recommendations and a questionnaire in Arabic language was used to record personnel profile of the enrolled children. The chi-square test was used in bivariate analyses to assess the association between ECC and risk factors. Variables showing significant associations were included in multiple logistic regression models.ResultsThe prevalence of ECC was 20% and the mean dmft score was 0.89 ± 0.24. The prevalence of ECC increased at the age of 48–59 months ([OR] 2.602; 95%CI: 1.122–2.302), the age of 60–71 months ([OR] 2.845; 95% CI: 1.128–2.072), in children with nocturnal feeding ([OR] 2,417; 95% CI: 1.340–4,358), who take sugary drinks in the bottle ([OR] 1.104; 95% CI: 1.667–2.826), stopped breast or bottle feeding after the age of 18 months ([OR] 2.417; 95% CI: 1.340–4.358), do not brush their teeth properly ([OR] 1.435; 95% CI: 1.207–2.915), had visited a dentist ([OR] 2.444; 95% CI: 2.072–1.108), and decreased in children with a more highly educated parents ([OR] 0.797; 95%CI: 0.171–0.650).ConclusionGiven the relatively high prevalence of ECC in Tunisia, it is important to review public dental health policies and develop effective strategies to encourage changes in behavior related to the oral health of children to prevent the spread and worsening of this disease.
Highlights
Childhood caries (ECC) has become a significant health problem among children and infant
Africa had a lower prevalence than the global pooled prevalence, whereas Asia, Oceania, and North and Central America showed a prevalence above the global estimate
This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and risk factors of Early childhood caries (ECC) among preschool children aged 3–5 years in Monastir, Tunisia
Summary
Childhood caries (ECC) has become a significant health problem among children and infant. According to a systematic with meta-analysis published in 2021, ECC is considered as a global health problem, affecting about almost half, of preschool children. Sixty-four reports of 67 countries (published between 1992 and 2019) which covered 29 countries/59018 children showed that the ECC prevalence varied widely, and there was more variance attributable betweencountry differences rather than continent or change over time [4]. The prevalence by continent was Africa: 30 [19, 45]; Americas: 48 [42, 54]; Asia: 52 [43, 61]; Europe: 43 [24, 66]; and Oceania: 82 [73, 89]. Africa had a lower prevalence than the global pooled prevalence, whereas Asia, Oceania, and North and Central America showed a prevalence above the global estimate. Europe and America were within the global estimate. There was a lack of certainty as to the accuracy of the result, as many countries (and regions) were not represented such as Tunisia [4]
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