Abstract:
Purpose: This study examines oral health behavioral trends and the development of
sociodemographic differences in oral health behaviors among Tanzanian students between 1999
and 2000.
Methods: The population targeted was students attending the Muhimbili University College of
Health Sciences (MUCHS) at the University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM), Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
Cross-sectional surveys were conducted and a total of 635 and 981 students, respectively,
completed questionnaires in 1999 and 2001.
Results: Cross-tabulation analyses revealed that in 1999, the rates of abstinence from tobacco use,
and of soft drink consumption, regular dental checkups, and intake of chocolate/candy were 84%,
51%, 48%, and 12%, respectively, among students of urban origin and 83%, 29%, 37%, and 5% among
their rural counterparts. The corresponding rates in 2001 were 87%, 56%, 50%, and 9% among
urban students and 84%, 44%, 38%, and 4% among rural ones. Multiple logistic regression analyses
controlling for sex, age, place of origin, educational level, year of survey, and their interaction terms
revealed a significant increase in the rate of soft drink consumption, implementation of oral hygiene
measures, and abstinence from tobacco use between 1999 and 2001. Social inequalities observed
in 1999, with urban students being more likely than their rural counterparts to take soft drinks and
go for regular dental checkups, had leveled off by 2001.
Conclusion: This study provides initial evidence of oral health behavioral trends, that may be
utilized in the planning of preventive programs among university students in Tanzania.
