Oral health delivery in refugee camps in East Region of Cameroon

Abstract

Background: Oral health care affects the quality of life and plays an essential role in the general health of vulnerable populations especially refugees. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the quality of oral health care delivery in the Gado-Badzeré refugee camp in the Eastern region of Cameroon. Methods: We carried out a cross-sectional study between January and July 2020 using a structured questionnaire in French and translated orally to Fulfulde language. Results: A total of 716 refugees from the Central African Republic with ages ranging from 6 to 81 years (29.3years ± 14.6 s.d), made up of 61.2% females, 378(52.8%) unemployed, 342(47.8%) married, 701(97.9%) Muslims, and 511(71.4 %) had no formal education participated. Oral health knowledge was significantly poor, 305 (42.6%) that consulted the health post for their oral health needs were not satisfied, 640(89.50%) had experienced toothache, 592(83.0%) needed restorative treatment, 709(99.0%) periodontal treatment and 215(30.0%) urgent needs like tooth extraction. There were no oral health facilities, no oral health personnel, no oral health outreach had ever been carried out in the camp, and oral pathologies were managed by nurses with medications. Conclusion: The quality of oral health care delivery in this camp was very poor. There is an absence of oral health workforce and basic primary oral health care facilities. Oral health knowledge was very poor and the treatment needs the refugees was very high. Keywords: Oral health care; periodontal diseases; refugees; refugee camps; Cameroon.