Oral hygiene practices and their sociodemographic correlates among adults in Burkina Faso: results from the First National Survey

Abstract

Background: Sociodemographic parameters are the driving determinants of oral hygiene practices. This study aims to describe oral hygiene practices and associated sociodemographic factors in the Burkinabè population using the first nationally representative data. Methods: This descriptive, cross-sectional study included 4677 adults through multistage cluster sampling performed during the first WHO STEPS survey conducted in 2013 in Burkina Faso. The practices we considered were the frequencies of tooth cleaning, fluoridated toothpaste use and dentist visits within the last six months. Sociodemographic variables and oral hygiene practices were described, and the first variables were used as the explanatory variables for the seconds in the multivariable analyses. Results: Individuals who cleaned teeth at least once a day represented 82.8% and at least twice a day represented 31.4%; 25.6% used fluoridated toothpaste and 2.1% visited a dentist. With the highest odds ratio, only being educated was a favourable factor for each oral hygiene practice. Living in an urban area or being a younger adult were favourable factors for cleaning teeth at least twice a day or the use of a fluoridated paste. Female gender applied more to regular tooth cleaning, as well as to dentist visits. Conclusion: Cleaning teeth at least once a day was common among Burkinabè, while cleaning at least twice a day, the use of fluoridated paste or dentist visits were infrequent. Education was the key favourable determinant for healthy oral hygiene practices, and improving oral health literacy interventions through basic health education should be promoted.