Abstract
Context and objectiveAs elsewhere, disadvantaged children in Senegal are those most affected by dental diseases and difficulties in obtaining dental care. Studies conducted mainly in developed countries suggest that a low level of mothers’ OHL is correlated with poor oral health of their children. The objective of this study is to estimate the level of mothers’ OHL in Senegal and its relationto the dental health of their children.MethodsThis cross-sectional epidemiological survey took place among 315 children aged from 3 to 9 years old and their mothers. It estimated the children’s dental health status by clinical examination which used a disposable examination kit and a headlamp, took place at the child’s home, in the mother’s presence. Examiners interviewing the mothers administered the Oral Health Literacy-Adult Questionnaire to determine their OHL and questioned them further about their social characteristics and their children’s dental health behaviour. Logistic regression and correlations were used for the statistical analysis.ResultsThe OHL score ranges from 0 to 17; mothers’ mean score was 6.5 (±3.1) and 56.5% had a low score (below the median). The prevalence of dental caries in children was 64.8%. Mothers’ high OHL is associated with children caries free and low prevalence of dental caries. The logistic regression showed a significantly protective relation between children’s dental caries and mothers’ high OHL scores (mean score 12–17) (OR = 0.51, 95% CI: 0.29–0.88), high educational level (OR = 0.42, 95% CI: 0.23–0.76) and a high level of social contact (OR = 0.31, 95% CI: 0.15–0.63). The structural analysis showed that OHL was significantly correlated with both the mothers’ social position (r = 0.61 and P<0.001) and the children’s caries (r = -0.26 and P<0.001).ConclusionThe OHL level of Senegalese mothers was significantly associated with their children’s dental caries. Improving mothers’ OHL might therefore help strengthen their capacities to promote oral health, thus helping to improve their children’s dental health and reduce inequalities.
Highlights
The oral health status of children in Africa follows a social gradient like that of children in most areas of the world
The logistic regression showed a significantly protective relation between children’s dental caries and mothers’ high oral health literacy (OHL) scores (OR = 0.51, 95% CI: 0.29– 0.88), high educational level (OR = 0.42, 95% CI: 0.23–0.76) and a high level of social contact (OR = 0.31, 95% CI: 0.15–0.63)
The structural analysis showed that OHL was significantly correlated with both the mothers’ social position (r = 0.61 and P
Summary
The oral health status of children in Africa follows a social gradient like that of children in most areas of the world. Several studies have shown that the social conditions in which children are raised and family psychosocial factors affect their oral health [5,6]. In this situation, it appears essential to develop primary prevention actions. The best known, that of Fisher-Owens et al (2007), depicts environmental contextual and societal relations in the form of a chain of elements [11] Using this model, Duijster et al (2014) modelled the possible interrelations between the community, family, and individual factors linked to dental caries in children. The authors suggested that family determinants affecting children’s oral health are mediated by psychosocial factors that in turn have an effect on attitudes and behaviour relating to oral health, in particular, those of the mother [12]
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