Periodontal disease and associated risk factors among people living with HIV and HIV-negative adults in Rwanda: a comparative cross-sectional study

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: People living with HIV (PLHIV) are at high risk of developing periodontal disease. No study done regarding periodontal disease and associated risk factors among PLHIV in Rwanda. Rwanda Health services lack baseline data to plan for oral health and incorporate the plans into general health. This study aims to determine the prevalence of periodontal disease and associated risk factors among PLHIV and HIV-negative adults at an HIV clinic of Kigali teaching hospital. METHODS: a comparative cross-sectional study was done among 400 adults (200 PLHIV and 200 HIV-negative), aged ≥18 years. Descriptive statistics, Chi2 test, and multiple logistic regression analysis were considered for data analysis using Stata version 15. Plaque index (PI), Clinical attachment loss (CAL), and the Community Periodontal Index of Treatment Need (CPITN) were used to assess periodontal disease. RESULTS: dental calculus was the most prevalent item of CPITN recorded for PLHIV 168 (84%) and HIV-negative 182 (92%) adults. The mean (SD) score for CAL was significantly (p=0.003) higher in PLHIV 1.23 (0.95) than HIV-negative individuals 0.99 (0.75). PI categorized as fair to poor was significantly (p=0.019) higher among PLHIV 36 (18%) than HIV-negative persons 16 (8%). Being a male was a predictor of PI OR: 2.90 (95%CI=1.26-6.66) and CPITN OR: 3.33 (95%CI=1.14-9.70) among PLHIV and HIV-negative: PI OR:3.28 (95%CI=1.48-7.28); CPITN: OR: 7.78 (95%CI=1.04-58.07) participants. CONCLUSION: People living with HIV had poorer periodontal health than HIV-negative individuals. There is a need for oral health program to prevent periodontal diseases among PLHIV in Rwanda.