scholarly journals Oral health-seeking behavior among different population groups in Enugu Nigeria

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. e0246164
Author(s):  
Nkolika Uguru ◽  
Obinna Onwujekwe ◽  
Chibuzo Uguru ◽  
Udochukwu Ogu ◽  
Chinenye Okwuosa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Oral Health ◽  
Dental Caries ◽  
Treatment Options ◽  
Health Awareness ◽  
Health Seeking ◽  
Health Seeking Behavior ◽  
Dental Fillings ◽  
Caries Treatment ◽  
Seeking Behavior ◽  
Enugu State

Introduction This study investigates the oral health-seeking behaviour of households and its influence on demand for dental caries treatment services in Enugu state Nigeria. Methods A quantitative descriptive cross-sectional study was used to explore the oral health seeking pattern of 378 urban and 348 rural household respondents in Enugu state Nigeria. The study explored dental caries treatment-seeking, oral health behavior of respondents using the three dynamics of the Andersen and Newman health utilization model; predisposing, enabling and need factors. Findings Recommendations from community members (48.9%), severity of disease (22.1%), and cost of treatment (19.4%) all influenced where oral healthcare was first sought. Gender and type of occupation, influenced positive oral health-seeking behavior (p<0.05). The least poor socioeconomic status (SES) group, sought dental treatment in the private dental clinics, while the very poor and most poor SES groups used traditional healers, home treatment and patent medicine dealers more. Dental fillings and extractions were generally the most accessed treatment options for dental caries. The tendency for all the SES groups (especially the least poor), to choose tooth extraction more as a treatment option for dental caries was influenced by the oral health awareness level of respondents and the cost of dental fillings. (p<0.05). Conclusion The findings suggest that interventions to create increased oral health awareness targeted at education on preventive strategies, appropriate time and place to seek oral health care and dental caries treatment, as well devising and implementing health financing options such as dental insurance would enable individuals to seek appropriate treatment for dental caries on time. In addition, it will reduce the proportion of people visiting unorthodox healthcare providers for their oral health problems or choosing cheaper but inappropriate treatment options.

scholarly journals Access to Oral Health Care: A Focus on Dental Caries Treatment Provision in Enugu Nigeria

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nkolika Uguru ◽  
Obinna Onwujekwe ◽  
Ogu Ugochukwu Udochukwu ◽  
Chibuzo Uguru
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Oral Health ◽  
Dental Caries ◽  
Oral Health Care ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Treatment Services ◽  
Caries Treatment ◽  
Treatment Provision ◽  
Enugu State ◽  
Skilled Staff

Abstract Background Dental caries, despite improvement in oral health across the globe, is still a large contributor to the global burden of oral diseases and a major public health concern. In Enugu state Nigeria, there is minimal access to adequate and proper oral health care. This study examined the determinants of dental caries treatment provision and the challenges of providing equitable access to oral health care. Method This was a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted in three local government areas in Enugu state Nigeria. The study was conducted using both qualitative and quantitative research methods. The determinants of supply of dental caries treatment services were explored with a focus on provider behaviour, cost of dental services, human resource availability and availability of dental equipment. Results Five factors determine what dental caries treatment service is provided viz: cost of raw materials (100%), human resources (98.1%), geographical location (98.1), Government policies (88%) and price of other goods (80.8%). Inadequate awareness and knowledge, high cost of treatment services, inadequately skilled staff, poor government funding and policy for oral health, limited primary healthcare facilities offering dental treatment services and poor knowledge of dental caries treatment options are factors that determine dental service provision and equally influence access to oral health care. There are still a limited number of dental facilities in the country with a growing need for dental caries treatment/services and other dental issues. Conclusion Adequate access to oral health care services is a major concern that affects all aspects of healthcare and a determining factor in the country’s drive to achieve universal health coverage. In order to address this, there is a need to incorporate oral health into the general health care system. Dental health facilities need to be strategically located and properly equipped with materials, equipment and adequate skilled staff.

scholarly journals Prevalence of dental caries, oral health awareness and treatment-seeking behavior of elderly population in rural Maharashtra

2019 ◽  
Vol 30 (3) ◽  
pp. 332 ◽  
Author(s):  
Deepak Phalgune ◽  
Subhash Salunke ◽  
Vinod Shah ◽  
Truls Ostbye ◽  
Anjali Gandhi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Oral Health ◽  
Dental Caries ◽  
Elderly Population ◽  
Treatment Seeking ◽  
Health Awareness ◽  
Seeking Behavior

scholarly journals Assessment of the oral health seeking behavior of patients with premalignant lesions

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 141
Author(s):  
MrunmayeeV Khare ◽  
ShravaniG Deolia ◽  
RitikaP Arora ◽  
RanaN Chikhale ◽  
RevtiD Korde ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Oral Health ◽  
Premalignant Lesions ◽  
Health Seeking ◽  
Health Seeking Behavior ◽  
Seeking Behavior

scholarly journals Access to Oral Health Care: A Focus on Dental Caries Treatment Provision in Enugu Nigeria

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nkolika Uguru ◽  
Obinna Onwujekwe ◽  
Ugochukwu Udochukwu Ogu ◽  
Chibuzo Uguru
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Oral Health ◽  
Dental Caries ◽  
Oral Health Care ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Treatment Services ◽  
Caries Treatment ◽  
Treatment Provision ◽  
Enugu State ◽  
Skilled Staff

Abstract Background Dental caries, despite improvement in oral health across the globe, is still a large contributor to the global burden of oral diseases and a major public health concern. In Enugu state Nigeria, there is minimal access to adequate and proper oral health care. This study examined the determinants of dental caries treatment provision and the challenges of providing equitable access to oral health care. Method This was a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted in three local government areas in Enugu state Nigeria. The study was conducted using both qualitative and quantitative research methods. The determinants of supply of dental caries treatment services were explored with a focus on provider behaviour, cost of dental services, human resource availability and availability of dental equipment. Results Five factors determine what dental caries treatment service is provided viz: cost of raw materials (100%), human resources (98.1%), geographical location (98.1), Government policies (88%) and price of other goods (80.8%). Inadequate awareness and knowledge, high cost of treatment services, inadequately skilled staff, poor government funding and policy for oral health, limited primary healthcare facilities offering dental treatment services and poor knowledge of dental caries treatment options are factors that determine dental service provision and equally influence access to oral health care. There are still a limited number of dental facilities in the country with a growing need for dental caries treatment/services and other dental issues. Conclusion Adequate access to oral health care services is a major concern that affects all aspects of healthcare and a determining factor in the country’s drive to achieve universal health coverage. In order to address this, there is a need to incorporate oral health into the general health care system. Dental health facilities need to be strategically located and properly equipped with materials, equipment and adequate skilled staff.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document