Socio-economic characteristics and factors associated with oral health status of diabetic patients attending Kikuyu Hospital, Kenya

Abstract

Objectives: To determine socio-economic characteristics and factors associated with oral health status of diabetic patients attending Kikuyu hospital, Kenya
Methods: The study design was cross-sectional with a questionnaire designed using Kobo Toolbox®. A Smartphone was programmed with the questionnaire and used collect data.
Results: Out of 349 respondents, 63.3% were females, 67.6% married, 49.5% aware of type of diabetes they had, 59% from rural areas, 62% used insulin to control blood sugar,79.4% had insurance cover, 88% and 99% used alcohol and non-curative drugs respectively and more than 80% had no negative experiences due to their oral health status. Overall, respondents had a DMFT index of 4.10±5.02. There was a statistically significant difference in DMFT index by level of education (p=0.005), marital status (p=0.003), means of transport (p=0.001), being worse to the higher level of the attributes.
Discussion: Majority of the respondents were females, married and elderly. Majority were not aware of the type of diabetes they had. Insulin was mostly used to control blood sugar. Majority of the respondents (about 70%) perceived their oral health status to have remained the same after diagnosis of DM while about 30% perceived a worsened status.
Conclusion: Approximately half of the patients were not aware of the type of diabetes they had. Oral health status remains the same or worsens after diagnosis of DM. A higher socio-economic status was associated with higher DMFT index suggesting, that oral health may be influenced by affluence of patients with DM.