TABLE OF CONTENTS
DECLARATION .......................................................................................................... ii
ABSTRACT.................................................................................................................iii
COPYRIGHT................................................................................................................ v
APPROVAL ................................................................................................................ vi
DEDICATION............................................................................................................ vii
TABLE OF CONTENTS............................................................................................. ix
LIST OF TABLES...................................................................................................... xii
LIST OF ACRONYMS .............................................................................................xiii
DEFINITION OF TERMS ........................................................................................ xiv
CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION........................................................................... 1
Introduction................................................................................................................... 1
1.2 Statement of the problem........................................................................................ 5
1.3 Purpose of the study......................................................................................... 6
1.4 Specific Objectives........................................................................................... 6
1.5 Research Questions.......................................................................................... 6
1.6 Justification of the study ................................................................................. 7
CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW............................................................... 8
2.1 Introduction............................................................................................................. 8
2.2 Student Related Factors Attributing to the Prevalence of Dental Caries................ 8
2.2.1 Lack of oral hygiene requirements; ..................................................................... 8
2.2.2 Sex........................................................................................................................ 8
2.2.3 Age....................................................................................................................... 9
2.2.4 Socioeconomic status........................................................................................... 9
2.2.5 Educational level of children’ parents; .............................................................. 10
2.2.6 Lack/denial of dental health services;................................................................ 11
2.2.7 Place of residence .............................................................................................. 11
2.2.8 Behaviour........................................................................................................... 11
x
2.3 Environmental Related Factors Attributing to the Prevalence of Dental Caries.. 12
2.3.1 Trauma/ Cultural practices................................................................................. 12
2.3.2 Schooling ........................................................................................................... 12
2.3.3 Cost of dental services....................................................................................... 13
2.4 Dietary Related Factors Attributing to the Prevalence of Dental Caries.............. 13
2.4.1 Eating sugary foods............................................................................................ 13
2.4.2 Use of vegetables............................................................................................... 14
CHAPTER THREE: METHODOLOGY ................................................................... 15
3.1 Introduction........................................................................................................... 15
3.2 Study design.......................................................................................................... 15
3.3 Study Area ............................................................................................................ 15
3.4 Study Population................................................................................................... 16
3.4.1 Sample Size Determination................................................................................ 16
3.4.2 Sampling Procedure ........................................................................................... 16
3.4.3 Inclusion Criteria ............................................................................................... 17
3.5 Definition of Variables ......................................................................................... 17
3.6 Research Instruments............................................................................................ 17
3.7 Data Collection Procedures................................................................................... 17
3.7.1 Data Management .............................................................................................. 17
Editing......................................................................................................................... 18
Data Storage................................................................................................................ 18
3.7.2 Data Analysis..................................................................................................... 18
3.8 Ethical Consideration............................................................................................ 18
3.9 Study Limitations.................................................................................................. 18
3.10 Dissemination of Results .................................................................................... 19
CHAPTER FOUR: DATA PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION 20
4.1 Socio-demographic Data....................................................................................... 20
4.2 Student Related Factors ........................................................................................ 21
4.3 Environmental Related Factors............................................................................. 22
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4.4 Dietary Related Factors......................................................................................... 24
CHAPTER FIVE: DISCUSSION, CONCLUSION, NURSING IMPLICATIONS AND 25
RECOMMENDATIONS............................................................................................ 25
5.1 Discussion............................................................................................................. 25
5.1.1Student related factors attributing to the prevalence of dental caries among students. 25
5.1.2 Environmental related factors attributing to the prevalence of dental caries among
students.................................................................................................................... 27
5.1.3 Dietary related factors attributing to the prevalence of dental caries among students 29
5.2 Conclusions........................................................................................................... 30
5.3 Recommendations................................................................................................. 31
5.3.1 To Students........................................................................................................ 31
5.3.2 To the School Administration............................................................................ 32
5.3.3 To the Government ............................................................................................ 32
5.4 Nursing Implications............................................................................................. 33
REFERENCES ........................................................................................................... 34
APPENDIX I: INFORMED CONSENT FORM........................................................ 38
APPENDIX II:............................................................................................................ 39
APPENDIX III:........................................................................................................... 43
APPENDIX IV: INTRODUCTORY LETTER.......................................................... 45
APPENDIX V: THE MAP OF UGANDA SHOWING BUSHENYI DISTRICT..... 46
APPENDIX VI: MAP OF ISHAKA-BUSHENYI SHOWING BASSAJJA BALABASENOR
SECONDARY SCHOOL........................................................................................... 47
ABSTRACT Dental caries and periodontal diseases are the major health problems and indicators of oral health burden all over the world. In Sub-Saharan Africa, dental caries incidence has been estimated to be 1,000,000 to 14,000,000 cases per year with a mortality rate of 70-90%. In Malawi, out of 1,726,065 OPD visits, 57,234 were due to oral health problems. The research specifically assessed student, environmental and dietary related factors that attribute to the prevalence of dental caries. The research included thirty (30) respondents using cross-sectional and descriptive study designs employing both a questionnaire and an interview guide to collect data. Data was manually analysed and presented in tables. The study findings showed that 02(07%) of respondents brush teeth using a stick, majority 24(80%) said that they brush teeth once a day, 07(70%) treated dental diseases at a cost above 50,000= and more than three quarters 16(84%) said that they add sugar to make the tea sweet. Basing in the study findings above, the factors attributing to the prevalence of dental caries were; use of sugary foods and beverages, lack of dental services in health facilities, lack of oral hygiene equipment, and high costs of dental services were identified as major factors attributing to the prevalence of dental caries among students. The recommendations were laid down under Student, School administration and Government. Students should clean their teeth using the recommended items, they should also have constant dental checkups, school administration should put oral care policies in iv place, regulate sugary foodstuff in school and the Government of Uganda should train more dentists and avail more dental instruments in health facilities.