Author(s)

Jocelyne Valerie Gare¹, Filwende Dan Kientega¹, Ouedraogo Carole Nathaie Tenin², Ouattara Seydou^1,2, Kabore Wendpoulomde Aime Désire², Nicolas Meda¹

¹Training and Research Unit in Health Sciences, Department of Public Health, Joseph Ki Zerbo University, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.
²Training and Research Unit in Health Sciences, Department of Dental Surgery, Joseph Ki Zerbo University, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.

Introduction: Several studies have reported a high prevalence of dental caries among the people with intellectual disabilities. In order to identify the sociodemographic, clinical and behavioral factors associated with it, we conducted a study in specialized centers welcoming subjects with intellectual disabilities in Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso). Objectives: The objective of this study was to identify the factors associated with it among intellectually disabled in the specialized centers of Ouagadougou. Methods: The study was cross-sectional analytical. The survey took place between November 2020 and January 2021 among people with intellectual disabilities in reception centers receiving a grant from the Ministry of Women, National Solidarity, Family and Humanitarian Action. Data collection was done with a questionnaire adapted from the World Health Organization (WHO) and dental caries was recorded according to WHO criteria in decayed, missing or filled teeth generating a DMF index. Logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with the presence of dental caries. Results: A total of 193 participants were included in the study with an average age of 12.4 years ± 7.9. The overall prevalence of caries measured with the DMF index was 58.6% 95% CI [51.2 - 65.8]. It was significantly associated with female gender (OR = 4.2; 95% CI [1.4 - 12.5], p = 0,01), the clinical form of mental illness (epilepsy OR = 3.8 95%; CI [1.2 - 12.7], p = 0,02, trisomy OR = 5.0; 95% CI [1.1 - 22.9], p = 0,03, motor autonomy OR = 0.2 95%; CI [0.1 - 0.7], p = 0,01) and at use of toothpaste OR = 9.33; 95% CI [1.05 - 82.7], p = 0,04. Conclusion: Dental caries remains a very present pathology in most people living with an intellectual disability. Also, it is necessary to put in place prevention strategies to reduce its prevalence and improve access to oral care for these people.

Dental Caries, Mental Disability, Intellectual Disability, Associated Factors, Ouagadougou

Gare, J. , Kientega, F. , Tenin, O. , Seydou, O. , Désire, K. and Meda, N. (2024) Associated Factors of Dental Caries among Intellectually Disabled Persons in Specialized Centers of Ouagadougou. Open Journal of Epidemiology, 14, 297-311. doi: 10.4236/ojepi.2024.142021.