Abstract:
Background: Quality of life and overall health can be greatly influenced by changes in oral
health. Oral diseases such as caries and gingivitis can produce discomfort, pain and also affect
people’s social life. These diseases’ prevalence has been shown to be highly correlated to
socioeconomic status and education.
Objectives: The purpose of this study was to assess the risk behaviors and practices towards
dental health among children in rural and urban public primary schools.
Methodology: This study used quantitative approach and a cross-sectional design was utilized.
The study was conducted in one urban primary public school (Kacyiru primary school) and one
rural primary public school (Kibali primary school) in Rwanda among pupils attending primary
level 1 to level 6 aged between 6 to 12 years. Target population was 400 and the minimum
required sample size was 197 children calculated using Raosoft formula. Stratified random
sampling has been used to recruit children referred to student list. Approval to conduct research
was obtained from Institution Review Board of University of Rwanda, College of medicine and
health sciences. Authorization to collect data was also obtained from the Headmasters of selected
schools, parental permission was received and children signed the assent form..
Study results: The study recruited 197 school children, with a response rate of 100%.The results
showed a statistically significant differences (p=0.002) between urban and rural children on the
habit of sugar consumption. Higher proportions (25%) of children from urban area were drunk
sugary drinks compare to children from rural (6%).Furthermore; the study reported that the
majority (78%) of children from urban used toothbrushes and tooth pastes than of children from
rural (57%).The results showed a statistically difference between children from urban and rural
as far as frequency of dentist visit is concerned (P=0.026),where 48 % of the participants from
rural had never visited a dentist in lifetime and among those who visited the dentist, 50%
reported to have visited the dentist in 1 to 2 years ago. Time of changing the toothbrush between
children of rural and urban areas showed statistical difference (p=0.011).
Conclusion: The risk behaviors identified were frequency in sugar consumption, time spent to
brush, and the time to visit the dentist. Practices identified related to teeth brushing were tooth
brushing materials, time to change them and the technique used to brush the teeth. Children from
urban counted higher in sugar consumption frequency compared to children from rural area.
Most of children from rural, have never visited a dentist and the majority of them reported to use
other things than toothbrushes in cleaning their teeth.
