Assessment of oral health status in a Ghanaian population: rationale, methods, and population characteristics

Sandra Ama Hewlett; Paa-Kwesi Blankson; Justice Moses K Aheto; Francis Anto; Tony Danso-Appiah; Josephine Sackeyfio; Kwadwo Koram; Albert G B Amoah

doi:10.1186/s12903-022-02090-9

Assessment of oral health status in a Ghanaian population: rationale, methods, and population characteristics

BMC Oral Health. 2022 Mar 12;22(1):67. doi: 10.1186/s12903-022-02090-9.

Authors

Sandra Ama Hewlett¹, Paa-Kwesi Blankson^{2

3}, Justice Moses K Aheto⁴, Francis Anto⁵, Tony Danso-Appiah⁵, Josephine Sackeyfio⁶, Kwadwo Koram⁷, Albert G B Amoah⁸

Affiliations

¹ Department of Restorative Dentistry, University of Ghana Dental School, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana. sandrahewlett@yahoo.co.uk.
² Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University of Ghana Dental School, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana.
³ Oral and Maxillofacial Unit, Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, Accra, Ghana.
⁴ Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana.
⁵ Department of Epidemiology and Disease Control, School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana.
⁶ Department of Community and Preventive Dentistry, University of Ghana Dental School, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana.
⁷ Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana.
⁸ Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, University of Ghana Medical School, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana.

Abstract

Background: Oral health surveys aid in estimating the oral health of a population and provide a projection for future oral health care needs. We report the procedures and rationale of a survey carried out to assess the oral health status and risk factors for oral disease among adults in the Greater Accra Region (GAR) of Ghana. The objective was to provide prevalence estimates on dental diseases, oral health behaviour and risk factors, and to establish baseline epidemiological data on the population's oral health for further research.

Methods: This was a population-based cross-sectional study of adults aged 25 years and above. A random, stratified two-stage sampling method was used to select participants from rural and urban communities in three types of districts (Metropolitan, Municipal, Ordinary). A semi- structured questionnaire was used to collect data on socio-demographic characteristics, oral health behaviours and risk factors for oral disease. Anthropometric data and a full-mouth clinical examination was carried out including: soft tissue assessment, tooth count, prosthodontic status, dental caries assessment and periodontal assessment.

Results: A total of 729 participants were included in the study with a mean age of 43.9 years (SD 14.6). Majority 425 (61.0%) were females. Though the metropolitan districts had more dental clinics and personnel, along with better health insurance coverage, they had a higher prevalence of missing teeth, retained roots, severe periodontitis and poorer oral health coverage. The findings also show some significant differences in disease prevalence, within the different localities and districts.

Conclusions: Availability and access to oral health services is not the most important determinant of good oral health outcomes in this region. We recommend exploring socio-behavioral and cultural factors as well. This study provides district level data to inform policy and guide further research.

Keywords: Dental caries; Ghana; Oral health; Periodontal disease; Retained roots; Survey.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Adult
Cross-Sectional Studies
Dental Caries* / diagnosis
Dental Caries* / epidemiology
Dental Health Surveys
Female
Ghana / epidemiology
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Oral Health*
Prevalence