Dietary patterns and oral health practices among primary school children aged 6-15 years in urban informal settlements of Eldoret City, Kenya.

BACKGROUND

Dental caries remains one of the most prevalent chronic conditions among school-aged children, disproportionately affecting those in informal settlements where dietary risks and preventive oral health services are limited.

AIM: This study assessed dietary patterns, oral hygiene practices, and their association with dental caries among primary school children aged 6-15 years in informal settlements of Eldoret City in Uasin Gishu County, Kenya.

METHODS

The study adopted a school-based cross-sectional design and involved 407 primary school children selected using proportionate stratified random sampling. Data was collected using a validated and pretested structured questionnaire, while clinical oral assessment was based on WHO field guidelines for the examination of dental caries. Data was analyzed using SPSS v.26. Chi-square tests assessed associations, and bivariate and multivariate logistic regression models were used to identify independent dietary patterns and oral hygiene practices associated with dental caries.

RESULTS

Out of 407 children, 55.3% were females, and their average mean age was 12.15 ± 2.98 years. The prevalence of dental caries was 26.0% (95% CI: 21.8-30.3). Daily consumption of sugary foods and beverages and suboptimal oral hygiene practices were relatively high. Multivariate logistic regression models revealed daily intake of biscuits, cakes, sweet pies, and buns (AOR = 2.31; 95% CI: 1.36-3.74; p = 0.004), daily consumption of sweets and candy (AOR = 2.42; 95% CI: 1.35-3.91; p = 0.006), brushing less than twice daily (AOR = 2.92; 95% CI: 1.18-3.87; p = 0.023), and not using fluoride toothpaste (AOR = 1.83; 95% CI: 1.12-2.61; p = 0.043) were independently associated with higher odds of dental caries among primary school children.

CONCLUSION

Integrated school- and community-based prevention strategies targeting dietary patterns and oral hygiene promotion are urgently needed to reduce preventable oral health inequities among vulnerable schoolchildren.