Utilisation of Oral Health Services and Associated Factors in a Sub-Urban Population in Western Uganda

Abstract

Aim: To determine the prevalence and factors affecting the level of utilization of oral health services in a sub urban adult population in Ishaka-Western Uganda. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 384 study participants. Data was collected using pre-tested and structured questionnaires. Data was entered in Epi-info computer software version 3.5.1 and exported to STATA Version 14.0 for analysis. Univariate analysis and modified Poisson regression were done to identify factors associated with utilization of oral health services. Crude prevalence ratios with 95% confidence interval were used to determine the level of significance at bivariate meanwhile adjusted prevalence ratios were calculated at multivariate analysis to establish independent significant factors. Results: The mean age of the study participants was 30.22 ± 9.97. It was observed that 36.72% of the study participants had utilized oral health services. Factors affecting utilization of oral health services that were statistically significant were level of education (tertiary level of education versus none) (P<0.001), average monthly income of >1,000,0000 Shilings (about $300) versus <501,000 ( about $150) (P<0.001), no phobia for dental procedures (P=0.035), perception that oral health visits are important (P=0.017) and positive attitude of  attending health workers ( P=0.028). Conclusion: This study has shown that the level of utilization of oral health services in the studied suburban adult population was poor. The level of education, income and phobia for dental procedures were associated with the utilization of oral health services. It is recommended that oral health promotion strategies be deployed in order to increase awareness and access to oral health care. Keywords: Oral health services, community-based cross-sectional study, Uganda