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).
Conclusion: 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.
