Unmet Oral Health Needs of Basic School Pupils in the Lower Manya Krobo Municipality of the Eastern Region of Ghana

Abstract

Introduction Epidemiological studies have shown that there is prevalence of caries in young children throughout the world, both in low and high-income countries. Parents’ perception is a huge contributor in dental nonattendance of children. Reduction in prevalence of periodontal disease can help reduce associated systemic diseases as well as minimize their financial impact on the health-care systems. This research seeks to assess the oral disease burden of basic school pupils living in the Lower Manya Krobo Municipality of the Eastern region of Ghana and the knowledge, attitudes and beliefs of the pupils and their caregivers. Method The study employed a school-based cross-sectional design. It was conducted in February 2019. Four schools (two private and 2 public) from two randomly selected educational circuits were used in the study. A total of 300 study subjects were selected through a multi-stage sampling procedure and their oral health status assessed. The pupils and their caregivers were interviewed on their knowledge, attitude and behaviour towards oral health. Ethical clearance was obtained from Ensign College of Public Health’s Institutional Review Committee and the Municipal Office of the Ghana Education Service. Administrative permission was also sought from the heads of the school. Data collected was analyzed with Stata. Results The prevalence of dental caries was found to be 26.67% and it was found not to be significant with age, consumption of sweets and drinks, and with frequency of teeth cleaning. A mean DMFT score of 1.05(± 2.68) was obtained with only a decay component. Periodontal disease affected more than half (59.33%) of the study subjects and was significant with gender (p value = 0.03) and those with high consumption of sweets. Prevalence of other oral diseases were low with the occurrence of fluorosis being high among rural children. Although the knowledge and attitude of caregivers was good, their behaviour was average affecting the outcome of oral diseases amongst pupils. Conclusion Oral health of the school pupils was poor and prompt measures need to be implemented to control the problem. Health education and promotion programs on healthy diet and adequate oral hygiene practices should be promoted in schools’ curricula.