title: Prevalence and socio-behavioral influence of early childhood caries, ECC, and feeding habits among 6-36 months old children in Uganda and Tanzania.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Early childhood caries (ECC) is a serious problem that has remained unexplored in sub-Saharan Africa. This study aimed to identify possible socio-behavioral correlates of ECC focusing 6-36 months old children and their caretakers.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross sectional studies were conducted in a high fluoride rural area, Manyara, Tanzania and a low fluoride urban area, Kampala, Uganda. Totals of 1221 and 816 child - caretaker pairs attending health care facilities for growth monitoring were recruited in Manyara and Kampala, respectively. All caretakers completed face to face interviews at the health care facility. Children underwent oral clinical examination whereby ECC and Enamel hypoplasia were recorded using the dmft (WHO 1997) and the DDE index (FDI 1992).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The prevalence of ECC was 3.7% in Manyara and 17.6% in Kampala. According to multiple logistic regression analyses, received oral health information from health worker was the strongest determinant of ECC in Manyara, adjusted OR 0.3, 95% CI 0.09 - 0.93. In Kampala, visible plaque, high sugar intake and presence of enamel hypoplasia associated with ECC, adjusted ORs 2.8 (95% CI 1.61- 4.95), 3.0 (95% CI 1.39 - 6.34) and 2.3 (95% CI 1.36 - 3.95).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Oral health education aimed at caretakers of 6-36 months, including health care workers' information regarding the detrimental consequences for oral health of frequent sugar consumption and poor oral hygiene is important for prevention of ECC in Tanzania and Uganda.
authors: Department of Clinical Dentistry, Community Dentistry, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.
authors: Ray
authors: R
authors: Masumo
authors: Asgeir
authors: A
authors: Bardsen
authors: Kijakazi
authors: K
authors: Mashoto
authors: Anne Nordrehaug
authors: AN
authors: Åstrøm
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D001942:Breast Feeding / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D017028:Caregivers / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology; D002327:Cariostatic Agents / Q000032:analysis; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004245:DMF Index; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003744:Dental Enamel Hypoplasia / Q000453:epidemiology; D003773:Dental Plaque / Q000453:epidemiology; D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004522:Educational Status; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D005459:Fluorides / Q000032:analysis; D006267:Health Education, Dental; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007182:Income; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D012423:Rural Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012923:Social Class; D013636:Tanzania / Q000453:epidemiology; D014454:Uganda / Q000453:epidemiology; D014504:Urban Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014881:Water Supply / Q000032:analysis; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D002327:Cariostatic Agents; D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates; D005459:Fluorides