Governance, maternal well-being and early childhood caries in 3\u20135-year-old children

Morenike Oluwatoyin Folayan,Navneet Grewal,Nneka Kate Onyejaka,Maha El Tantawi,Balgis Gaffar,Ola B Al-Batayneh,Aída Carolina Medina Díaz,Rosa Amalia,Micheal Alade,Arheiam Arheiam,Simin Z Mohebbi,Robert J Schroth,Arthur Kemoli,Ana Vukovic,Hamideh Daryanavard

doi:10.1186/s12903-020-01149-9

Abstract

BackgroundThis study assessed the direct, indirect and total effect of distal – political - risk indicators (affecting populations), and proximal risk indicators (affecting women) on the global prevalence of early childhood caries (ECC) in 3–5 year old children.MethodsData on global ECC prevalence were obtained from a prior study. Data for distal risk indicators (voice and accountability; political stability/absence of terrorism; control of corruption) were obtained from the World Bank Governance indicators, 2016. Data for proximal risk indicators (women’s opportunity for leadership; percentage of female legislators, top officials and managers; basic employability status of women; ability of women to afford time off work to care for newborns; gross national income (GNI) per capita for females) were derived from the Human Development Index, 2016. Associations between variables were assessed with path analysis.ResultsVoice and accountability (β = − 0.60) and GNI per capita for females (β = − 0.33) were directly associated with a lower ECC prevalence. Political stability/absence of terrorism (β =0.40) and higher percentage of female legislators, senior officials and managers (β = 0.18) were directly associated with a higher ECC prevalence. Control of corruption (β = − 0.23) was indirectly associated with a lower ECC prevalence. Voice and accountability (β = 0.12) was indirectly associated with a higher ECC prevalence. Overall, voice and accountability (β = − 0.49), political stability/absence of terrorism (β = 0.34) and higher female GNI (β = − 0.33) had the greatest effects on ECC prevalence.ConclusionDistal risk indicators may have a stronger impact on ECC prevalence than do proximal risk indicators.. Approaches to control ECC may need to include political reforms.

Highlights

This study assessed the direct, indirect and total effect of distal – political - risk indicators, and proximal risk indicators on the global prevalence of early childhood caries (ECC) in 3–5 year old children
We found that distal risk indicators had a larger impact on the prevalence ECC than did proximal risk indicators
This study provides new evidence that the control of ECC may benefit from actions taken at the national level to improve the wellbeing of populations in general and women in particular, which in turn, could improve children’s oral health

Summary

Introduction

This study assessed the direct, indirect and total effect of distal – political - risk indicators (affecting populations), and proximal risk indicators (affecting women) on the global prevalence of early childhood caries (ECC) in 3–5 year old children. Childhood caries (ECC) is one of the predominant health issues among preschool children worldwide. It can have negative consequences on child health, wellbeing and quality of life [1]. Maternal health and wellbeing can affect the child’s oral health [2], and her individual and local community attributes and attitudes can influence the risk for ECC. These attributes include maternal age [3], education, place of employment [4], place of residence [5], employment status [6], and oral health behaviors [7]. An environment that does not support maternal wellbeing impacts negatively on the child’s health [9]

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion