NYMC Faculty Publications
Oral Health Behavior and Factors Associated with Poor Oral Status in Qatar: Results from a National Health Survey
Author Type(s)
Faculty
DOI
10.1111/jphd.12209
Journal Title
Journal of Public Health Dentistry
First Page
308
Last Page
316
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
9-1-2017
Department
Surgery
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: Oral health is a crucial determinant of quality of life. We aimed to determine oral health condition and factors associated with poor oral status in the adult national population of Qatar. METHODS: We used data from the World Health Organization supported STEPS (STEPwise approach to Surveillance) Survey conducted by the Supreme Council of Health, Qatar in 2012. A total of 2,496 Qataris (1,053 men, 1,443 women) answered the national survey. The Rao-Scott Chi-Square test was used to analyze oral health characteristics and multinomial logistic regression to assess risk factors. RESULTS: The self-perceived oral status of approximately 40 percent of respondents was either "average" or "poor" rather than "good." Poor oral status was more often reported by women (OR = 1.93; 95%CI = 1.30-2.80), by older (OR = 3.38; 95%CI = 1.59-7.19) and less educated respondents (OR = 3.58; 95%CI = 2.15-5.96). Other risk groups included people with diabetes (OR = 1.87; 95%CI = 1.24-2.81), smokeless tobacco users (OR = 3.90; 95%CI = 1.75-8.68), or ever tobacco users (OR = 1.66; 95%CI = 1.03-2.67). Oral health status appeared to be independent of diet, BMI status, and history of hypertension. Difficulties and behaviors related to oral health were more frequently reported by women than by men. These included pain (P < 0.001), difficulty chewing (P < 0.001), and discomfort over appearance of teeth (P < 0.001). Participants used toothbrushes, toothpicks, dental floss, and miswak to maintain oral hygiene. CONCLUSION: Our results provide evidence that oral health remains a public health concern in Qatar.
Recommended Citation
Cheema, S., Maisonneuve, P., Al-Thani, M., Al-Thani, A., Abraham, A., Al-Mannai, G., Al-Emadi, A., Al-Chetachi, W., Almalki, B., Hassan Khalifa, S., Haj Bakri, A., Lowenfels, A., & Mamtani, R. (2017). Oral Health Behavior and Factors Associated with Poor Oral Status in Qatar: Results from a National Health Survey. Journal of Public Health Dentistry, 77 (4), 308-316. https://doi.org/10.1111/jphd.12209