title: Prevalence and geographic distribution of edentulism among older Ghanaians.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Edentulism has important health implications for aging individuals and is used as an indicator of the oral health of a population. Its distribution is unequal within populations, with the greatest burden on disadvantaged and socially marginalized populations. With an increasing older adult population in Ghana, its burden may increase; however, there is no nationwide information on edentulism in Ghana. Focusing on adults 50 years and older, this study assessed the prevalence of edentulism among older Ghanaians and its distribution across the country.
  
  
  METHODS
  Secondary analysis of WHO's Study on global AGEing and adult health (SAGE) Wave 1 in Ghana was conducted using self-reported edentulism as the dependent variable.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The overall prevalence was 2.8%, varying by sex (men had lower rates; OR = 0.67, 95% CI = 0.47-0.97); by location, being more prevalent in urban areas (3.6%) and the Western Region (4.7%); by education levels (rates were higher among those with no formal education; OR = 1.626, 95% CI = 1.111-2.380); and by marital status (those living without a partner had higher rates; OR = 1.980, 95% CI =1.366-2.870). On multivariate logistic regression, the variables positively associated with edentulism were older age (OR = 0.945) and urban residence (OR = 0.582). Living in the Brong Ahafo (OR = 3.138), Central (OR = 2.172), Eastern (OR = 2.257), or Volta regions (OR = 3.333) was negatively associated with edentulism.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Edentulism is unequally distributed across Ghana. Future aged cohorts are likely to follow the same patterns of geographic and social disadvantage if needed interventions are not carried out. This study provides nationwide data to assist service planning.
authors.affiliation: Department of Restorative Dentistry, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana Dental School, Accra, Ghana.
authors.forename: Sandra A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Hewlett
authors.forename: Benedict N L
authors.initials: BN
authors.lastname: Calys-Tagoe
authors.forename: Alfred E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Yawson
authors.forename: Phyllis
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Dako-Gyeke
authors.forename: Emmanuel
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Nakua
authors.forename: Gloria
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Folson
authors.forename: Akosua N
authors.initials: AN
authors.lastname: Baddo
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Mensah
authors.forename: Nadia
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Minicuci
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kowal
authors.forename: Richard B
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Biritwum
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D005843:Geography; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009066:Mouth, Edentulous / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015995:Prevalence
keywords: Ghana; SAGE; WHO; aged; edentulism; older age; tooth loss