Determinants of maternal and household social inequalities of dental caries among Senegalese children in the Department of Pikine

Abstract

Introduction: the problematic of social Inequalities in oral health remains a global concern; it constitutes evidence of social injustice. The present work aims to study the determinants of maternal and household social inequalities of children´s dental caries in Pikine. Methods: cross-sectional epidemiological survey has been conducted in the department of Pikine, Senegal on 315 children aged 3 to 9 and their mothers. The clinical data on children´s caries have been obtained by clinical examination and the socio-economic data by a questionnaire submitted to mothers. Pearson chi-square and trend tests as well as a logistic model were used in the data analysis. Results: the prevalence of dental caries in children was 64.8% and the mixed decayed, filled, missing (DFM) index was 2.5 (±2.7). The trend test showed significant inequalities in the prevalence of dental caries according to level of studies (p<0.001), profession (p<0.010) and contacts frequency (p<0.001) of mothers; the level of wealth (p<0.001) and structure (p<0.005) of households. According to the logistic regression model, the level of secondary or university education [OR (IC 95%) = 0.59 (0.33'>OR (IC 95%) = 0.59 (0.33-0.93)] or social network dynamism [OR (IC 95%) = 0.32(0.15'>OR (IC 95%) = 0.32(0.15-0.67)] of mothers; as well as wealthy families [OR (IC 95%) = 0.23(0.08'>OR (IC 95%) = 0.23(0.08-0.64) were associated to fewer risks of dental caries among children. Conclusion: some socio-economic characteristics of the mother and the household social conditions are identified as determinants of dental caries social inequalities in Children. Proportionate universalism may be a good approach to reduce this problematic in Pikine.