Table 5 Self-reported oral health and oral health behaviours of school children in SL.
From: Unmet need in Sierra Leone: a national oral health survey of schoolchildren
Questionnaire themes | Categories | Sub-categories | 12-year-olds | 15-year-olds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Access to care | Visit to a dentist | Never been to a dentist | 66% (163) | 73% (327) |
Go only when I have trouble with teeth | 19% (46) | 17% (78) | ||
Went for check up | 8% (19) | 8% (38) | ||
Oral hygiene | Brushing frequency | =1 time a day | 33% (82) | 32% (145) |
=2 times a day | 26% (64) | 32% (142) | ||
=3 times a day | 23% (56) | 17% (77) | ||
>3 times a day | 13% (33) | 15% (67) | ||
<1 time a day OR Never | 2% (7) | 4% (16) | ||
Brushing tool | Toothbrush | 82% (202) | 90% (365) | |
Toothpick | 8% (19) | 2% (11) | ||
Thread | 2% (6) | 2% (7) | ||
Charcoal | 2% (5) | 2% (9) | ||
Other | 3% (8) | 3% (14) | ||
Use of toothpaste | Yes | 90% (222) | 87% (353) | |
No | 8% (20) | 11% (52) | ||
Diet | Sweets (e.g. chocolates) | = 4 times or more a day | 13% (32) | 8% (36) |
≤3 to 2 times a day | 23% (57) | 24% (110) | ||
≤1time a day | 30% (73) | 37% (168) | ||
Cakes or biscuits | =4 times or more a day | 15% (37) | 11% (51) | |
≤3 to 2 times a day | 34% (83) | 38% (169) | ||
≤1 time a day | 26% (64) | 28% (118) | ||
Fruits | =4 times or more a day | 28% (69) | 23% (105) | |
≤3 to 2 times a day | 46% (113) | 39% (222) | ||
≤1 time a day | 16% (39) | 23% (102) | ||
Fizzy drinks | =4 times or more a day | 22% (55) | 22% (100) | |
≤3 to 2 times a day | 15% (36) | 19% (84) | ||
≤1 time a day | 42% (103) | 45% (204) | ||
Fruit juice | =4 times or more a day | 11% (26) | 10% (43) | |
≤3 to 2 times a day | 27% (67) | 25% (114) | ||
≤1 time a day | 32% (79) | 37% (167) | ||
Water | =4 times or more a day | 67% (165) | 65% (292) | |
≤3 to 2 times a day | 9% (22) | 12% (55) | ||
≤1 time a day | 8% (19) | 5% (18) | ||
Other risk behaviours | Smoking | Never | 80% (197) | 90% (403) |
Tried sometimes | 14% (34) | 7% (34) | ||
Occasionally or Regularly | 2% (5) | 2% (8) | ||
Alcohol | Never | 77% (189) | 85% (381) | |
Tried sometimes | 14% (34) | 12% (54) | ||
Occasionally or Regularly | 6% (16) | 3% (12) |
