| dc.description.abstract | Background: Canine Bud Extraction (CBE) is a process of removing or gouging children’s healthy canine tooth
buds embedded underneath the gum using traditional unsterilized tools. The practice of CBE commonly known as
false teeth removal continues to be an adopted cultural intervention of choice, in the prevention of morbidity and
mortality from common childhood illnesses. However, it is a practice against the rights of children with serious
consequences. While CBE is associated with the perceived myth of curative gains, the agony emanating from the
cultural practice exposes children to ill-health conditions such as dehydration, malnutrition, blood-borne diseases
like HIV/AIDs, septicemia, fever and death. This research sought to understand the factors underpinning the practice
of CBE among urban slum dwellers.
Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted from five randomly selected slums in Makindye division; 298 household
heads or guardians with children below 5 years, who had ever suffered from false teeth were interviewed. The variables
measured included guardians’ socio-demographic profiles, determinants of CBE, common childhood illnesses assumed to
be treated with CBE and the reported side-effects associated with the practice.
Results: Of the 298 respondents with children who had ever suffered from “false teeth” interviewed, 56.7% had two or
more children below 5 years and 31.9% were from the central region. The proportion of households practicing CBE was
90.3%; 69.8% of the caretakers mentioned that it was done by traditional healers and for 12.1% by trained health workers
(dentists). Number of children (OR = 2.8, 95% CI: 1.1–7.2) and the belief that CBE is bad (OR = 0.1, 95% CI: < 0.001,
p < 0.001) had a statistically significant association with CBE. Additionally, number of children (χ2 = 4.9, p = 0.027)
and 2 sets of beliefs (CBE treats diarrhea (χ2 = 12.8, p = 0.0017) and CBE treats fever (χ2 = 15.1, p = 0.0005) were
independent predictors of CBE practice. A total of 55.7% respondents knew that there were side effects to CBE
and 31% mentioned death as one of them.
Conclusion: The high proportion of households practicing CBE from this study ought to awaken the perception
that the practice is ancient. CBE in this community as the study suggests was strongly driven by myths. The strong
belief that CBE is bad provides an opportunity for concerted effort by primary health care providers, policymakers and
the community to demystify the myths associated with false teeth and the gains of CBE. | en_US |
