Oral health status of children and adults in urban and rural areas of Burkina Faso, Africa.
OBJECTIVE
To analyse the oral health status of children and adults in rural and urban areas of Burkina Faso; to provide epidemiological data for planning and evaluation of oral health care programmes.


METHODS
Cross-sectional survey including different ethnic and socio-economic groups.


METHODS
Multistage cluster sampling of households in urban areas and random samples of participants selected based on the recent population census in rural areas. The final study population covered four age groups: 6 years (n = 424), 12 years (n = 505), 18 years (n = 492) and 35-44 years (n = 493). Clinical oral health data collected according to WHO methodology and criteria.


RESULTS
At age 6, 38% of children had caries, with prevalence higher in urban than rural areas. At age 12, the mean DMFT was 0.7 with prevalence significantly higher among urban than rural children. Mean DMFT was 1.9 in 18-year-olds and 6.3 in 35-44-year-olds and figures were higher for women than men. In adults, no differences in caries experience were found by location whereas the caries index was significantly affected by ethnic group and occupation. CPI score 2 (gingivitis and calculus) was dominant for all ages: 6 years (58%), 12 years (57%), 18 years (58%), 35-44 years (49%). In addition, 10% of 35-44-year-olds had CPI score 4. Rural participants had more severe periodontal scores than did urban individuals.


CONCLUSIONS
Health authorities should strengthen the implementation of community-based oral disease prevention and health promotion programmes rather than traditional curative care.
Varenne
Benoît
B
World Health Organisation, NonCommunicable Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Oral Health Programme, Geneva, Switzerland.
Petersen
Poul Erik
PE
Ouattara
Seydou
S
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D002050:Burkina Faso / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004245:DMF Index; D003728:Dental Calculus / Q000453:epidemiology; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005006:Ethnicity / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D005891:Gingivitis / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009790:Occupations / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010510:Periodontal Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D010512:Periodontal Index; D012423:Rural Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012737:Sex Factors; D012923:Social Class; D014504:Urban Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*