Prevalence of Dental Caries and Associated Factors Among Secondary School Students in Kigali, Rwanda: A Cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background: Dental caries is a worldwide alarming health problem among children and adolescents in developing countries. However, few studies were conducted regarding dental caries in Rwanda. Hence, this study determined the prevalence of dental caries and its associated factors among secondary school students in Kigali, Rwanda. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 646 secondary school students in the City of Kigali. Data on dental caries were collected with a structured questionnaire adapted from the World Health Organization. Pre-testing of the instrument was done using Cronbach’s Alpha (0.80). Data were analyzed with SPSS version 25. Proportions and mean decayed missing and filled teeth index (DMFT) were computed. Bivariate and Poisson regression analyses were used to test the associated factors to dental caries. Results: The average age of study participants was 16 years. Almost half of the study participants were female (50.5%) and 50% were from an urban place of residence. The overall prevalence of dental caries was 61.1% with a mean decayed missing and filled teeth index of 3.3 (SD = 3.9). Notably, 5.1% of children had missing teeth, however, only 1.7% had filled teeth. The lower molars were the most affected teeth by tooth decay 38.7%. Being a female was 1.5 times more likely to develop dental caries (AOR=1.5, CI:1.4-1.6, P=0.001) compared to males. Children from rural places had a 1.1 times higher odds of dental caries (AOR=1.1, CI:1.0-1.3, P<0.001) when compared to their urban counterparts. Similarly, children who don’t use toothpaste were 1.2 times more likely to develop dental caries than those who use it regularly and the difference was significant (AOR=1.2, CI:1.1-1.3, P<0.001). Visiting a dentist was significantly associated with 30% lower odds of dental caries (AOR:0.7, CI:0.6-0.8, P<0.001). Moreover, being young age 12-14 years, and coming from a poor family were significantly associated with a 40% and 20% lower likelihood of dental caries compared to their counterparts. Conclusion: Dental caries was found a public health problem among secondary school students in Kigali, Rwanda with highly untreated dental caries. Lack of dental visits, coming from poor families, residing in rural areas, and being female were found associated factors to dental caries among secondary school students in Rwanda.