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Self-reported, subjectively-determined breath malodor, associated factors, treatment seeking behavior and oral hygiene practices among adults in Kinondoni, Tanzania
Abstract
Aim: To study the self-reported (SRM) and subjectively-determined breath malodor (OSM), associated factors, treatment seeking behavior and oral hygiene practices among adults in Kinondoni district.
Subjects and methods: This was a cross-sectional, descriptive and community-based study in convenient sample of 290 adults aged ≥ 18 years in Kinondoni district. The SRM, OSM of the exhaled air using the same individual’s nose, associated factors, treatment seeking behavior and oral hygiene practices were assessed using a self-administered structured questionnaire.
Results: The prevalence of SRM was 76.6% and of OSM (16.6%), while tooth brushing practice and use of dentifrices was 100%, tongue cleaning (73.4%), awareness on presence of hard deposits on teeth (30%), gum bleeding on tooth brushing (69.7%), mobile teeth (7.2%) and medical problems (13.4%). The proportion of study participants who used ginger-spiced tea were (32.8%), tobacco smoking (16.6%), alcohol consumption (37.9%), dental floss (6.9%) and seeking treatment for breath malodor (TSM) was 11.8%. On logistic regression analyses, (AOR 95% CI), SRM was associated with ginger-spiced tea 3.27 (1.54-6.95), medical problems 3.25 (1.12-9.44) and smoking 7.92 (1.76-35.77). OSM was associated with Not-brushing the tongue 2.21 (1.08-4.54) and mobile teeth 6.01 (2.15-16.84). The TSM was associated with secondary education or higher, being married and awareness of having hard deposits on teeth.
Conclusion: Breath malodor was a common problem, associated with not-cleaning the tongue, mobile teeth; tobacco smoking, ginger-spiced tea, and general medical problems whereby the majority sought no care. All participants reported daily tooth brushing with dentifrice but practiced limited interdental flossing.
Subjects and methods: This was a cross-sectional, descriptive and community-based study in convenient sample of 290 adults aged ≥ 18 years in Kinondoni district. The SRM, OSM of the exhaled air using the same individual’s nose, associated factors, treatment seeking behavior and oral hygiene practices were assessed using a self-administered structured questionnaire.
Results: The prevalence of SRM was 76.6% and of OSM (16.6%), while tooth brushing practice and use of dentifrices was 100%, tongue cleaning (73.4%), awareness on presence of hard deposits on teeth (30%), gum bleeding on tooth brushing (69.7%), mobile teeth (7.2%) and medical problems (13.4%). The proportion of study participants who used ginger-spiced tea were (32.8%), tobacco smoking (16.6%), alcohol consumption (37.9%), dental floss (6.9%) and seeking treatment for breath malodor (TSM) was 11.8%. On logistic regression analyses, (AOR 95% CI), SRM was associated with ginger-spiced tea 3.27 (1.54-6.95), medical problems 3.25 (1.12-9.44) and smoking 7.92 (1.76-35.77). OSM was associated with Not-brushing the tongue 2.21 (1.08-4.54) and mobile teeth 6.01 (2.15-16.84). The TSM was associated with secondary education or higher, being married and awareness of having hard deposits on teeth.
Conclusion: Breath malodor was a common problem, associated with not-cleaning the tongue, mobile teeth; tobacco smoking, ginger-spiced tea, and general medical problems whereby the majority sought no care. All participants reported daily tooth brushing with dentifrice but practiced limited interdental flossing.
