| dc.description.abstract | The residents of Kivunza landing site face challenges regarding their oral health. Few researchers have investigated oral health knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors on this island. The purpose of this study was to assess the level of oral health knowledge, behaviors, and practices among residents of Kivunza landing site, Kalangala district in Uganda, in relation to their oral health status. The theoretical framework of this study was based on the health belief model. A cross-sectional study was conducted to collect data from 222 respondents of Kivunza Landing site, Kalangala District in Uganda, using a close-ended questionnaire as well as oral examination. The respondents all gathered in a church building during a public free missionary medical clinic at the time of data collection. A total stratified sample of 222respondents was included in the study. According to the results of the study, the levels of dental caries and periodontal diseases were relatively high. According to this study, 48.9% said that they needed to improve their oral hygiene and 20.4% said that their oral hygiene was poor. 21.6% said that they needed to visit a dentist, 64.8% said they didn’t need to visit a dentist and 13.6% did not know whether they needed to visit a dentist. 37.5% visited a dentist and 62.5% went to traditional herbalists to consult in case they had a tooth problem, 40.9% had never visited a dentist and 89.8% did not follow their dental visits after the pain was relieved. 89.8% had their last dental visit because of pain, 55.7% had their last dental visit a year ago and 27.3% did not remember when they last visited a dentist. The social change implications of this study can be the development and incorporation of oral health promotion programs into the school curriculum.
These programs may increase the adoption of preventive oral health strategies by residents of Kivunza landing site, such as regular dental attendance, to maintain their good oral health for a life time. | en_US |
