Participation of primary school teachers in oral health education in Rungwe District, Tanzania.
BACKGROUND
Tanzanian primary school teachers have long been utilised as oral health educators but little is known about their level of participation.


OBJECTIVE
To asses the participation of primary school teachers as general and oral health educators.


METHODS
Cross-sectional, using structured self-administered questionnaires.


METHODS
Rural and urban Primary Schools in Rungwe District, Mbeya Tanzania.


METHODS
Primary school teachers from 15 rural and 4 urban schools.


METHODS
Provision of oral health education.


RESULTS
Teachers with primary education, who are teaching in lower grades were significantly more active in providing general and oral health education (OHE) than those with secondary education and who teach pupils in higher grades.


CONCLUSIONS
Oral health education seems to be given mainly to primary school pupils in lower grades; teachers involved in oral health education provision were mainly female juniors in the profession and relatively young by age (below 40 years old).


CONCLUSIONS
There is a need for influencing teachers of pupils in higher grades and males to be involved in oral health education programmes throughout their teaching profession.
Mbeya School of Dental Therapists, Tanzania.
I E
IE
Mwangosi
U
U
Nyandindi
M
M
Matee
D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005178:Faculty; D005260:Female; D006267:Health Education, Dental / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009909:Oral Health; D012574:Schools; D013636:Tanzania