Retrospective study on Oral health problems in and around Ambo town, central Ethiopia

Background: Data pertaining to epidemiology of oral health problems is important to understand the magnitude and pattern of different oral and dental health morbidities. Hardly any information is available on the oral morbidity prevalence in and around Ambo, the capital of West Shoa Zone Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia. Objective This study was conducted to assess the magnitude, pattern and associated risk factors of oral health problems in and around Ambo town, central Ethiopia. Methods The medical records of 3,451 patients who received oral health treatment in two government Hospitals, Ambo General Hospital (AGH) and Ambo University Referral Hospital (AURH), and one Private Medium Dental Clinic, was reviewed retrospectively. Each patient was subjected to oral and dental examination by trained dentists. Data was extracted on the demographic characteristics of cases, the type of oral health problem, presence or absence of comorbidities and chief compliant of each patient. The data was summarized by descriptive statistics using proportions, mean and median. Chi-square test and univariate analysis was also computed to identify the socio-demographic risk factors associated to oral health. P value <0.05 was considered significant. Result Majority of the study participants were males from the urban areas of Ambo town and the surrounding, 58.1% and 58.7% respectively. More than half, 58.1% of the clients reported that they had oral morbidity secondary to dental caries followed by orofacial injuries 24.8% and periodontal diseases 10.8%. Oral health problems secondary to dental caries and malocclusions were significantly associated with urban residency and older ages of the study participants (P<0.05). Dental caries related oral health problems were common in females, whereas, orofacial traumas were common among male participants (P<0.05). Conclusion This study shows that oral health problem secondary to dental caries was the highest oral health problems followed by orofacial injuries and periodontal diseases. This necessitates the need for oral health system strengthening focusing on health promotion and expanding overall access to care.