TABLE OF CONTENTS
DECLARATION AND APPROVAL ...........................................................................................................i
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT ............................................................................................................................ii
TABLE OF CONTENTS.............................................................................................................................iii
LIST OF TABLES AND FIGURES.............................................................................................................v
ACRONYMS AND ABREVIATIONS........................................................................................................v
OPERATIONAL DEFINITIONS................................................................................................................vi
ABSTRACT................................................................................................................................................vii
CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION .......................................................................................................1
1.1 BACK GROUND OF THE STUDY ......................................................................................................1
1.2 PROBLEM STATEMENT.....................................................................................................................2
1.3 JUSTIFICATION OF THE STUDY ......................................................................................................2
1.4 RESEARCH QUESTIONS.....................................................................................................................2
1.5 OBJECTIVES.........................................................................................................................................3
1.5.1 General objective .............................................................................................................................3
1.5.2 Specific objectives...........................................................................................................................3
1.6 CONCEPTUAL FRAME WORK ..........................................................................................................4
CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW..........................................................................................5
2.0 Introduction.............................................................................................................................................5
2.1 Prevalence of dental caries......................................................................................................................5
2.2 Risk factors for dental caries...................................................................................................................6
CHAPTER THREE: METHODOLOGY.................................................................................................8
3.1 STUDY DESIGN....................................................................................................................................8
3.2 STUDY AREA .......................................................................................................................................8
3.3 STUDY POPULATION .........................................................................................................................8
3.4 INCLUSION AND EXCLUSION CRITERIA ......................................................................................8
3.4.1 INCLUSION CRITERIA.................................................................................................................8
3.4.2 EXCLUSION CRITERIA................................................................................................................8
3.5 SAMPLE SIZE DETERMINATION .....................................................................................................8
3.6 STUDY VARIABLES............................................................................................................................9
3.7 SAMPLING METHODS........................................................................................................................9
3.8 DATA COLLECTON.............................................................................................................................9
3.9 DATA ANALYSIS.................................................................................................................................9
3.10 QUALITY CONTROL.........................................................................................................................9
iv
3.11 STUDY LIMITATIONS.......................................................................................................................9
3.12 ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS..........................................................................................................9
CHAPTER FOUR: RESULTS ................................................................................................................10
4.1 Socio demographic characteristics of the study population..................................................................10
4.2: Prevalence of dental caries among patients attending dental clinic at KIU-TH ..................................12
4.3: Factors influencing dental caries among patients attending dental clinic at KIU-TH .........................12
CHAPTER FIVE: DISCUSSIONS, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION .........................15
5.0 General introduction. ............................................................................................................................15
5.1 Discussions ...........................................................................................................................................15
5.2 Conclusion ............................................................................................................................................16
5.3 Recommendations.................................................................................................................................16
APPENDIX I: REFERENCES ...................................................................................................................17
APPENDIX II: KREJCE AND MORGAN’S TABLE...............................................................................18
APPENDIX III: LETTER FOR DATA COLLECTION............................................................................19
APPENDIX IV: CONSENT FORM...........................................................................................................20
APPENDIX V: QUESTIONNAIRE...........................................................................................................22
APPENDIX VI: MAP OF BUSHENYI.....................................................................................................26
APPENDIX VII: MAP OF UGANDA .......................................................................................................27
APPENDIX VIII: WORK PLAN ...............................................................................................................28
ABSTRACT Introduction Globally, dental carries remains a great public health problem. In Uganda, the exact prevalence and factors influencing dental caries is still not known clearly. Objective To determine the prevalence and factors influencing dental caries among patients attending dental clinic of KIU-TH. Methodology A cross sectional study was designed to determine the prevalence and factors influencing dental caries among 80 respondents who answered a structural questionnaire. Data which was collected by the principal investigator himself was presented in tables and a pie chart. Results The study found out that majority of respondents were females, 45 (56.25%) who were students 31 (38.75%) aged 20-29(41); 51.25%. Those who brushed after every meal were 8(10%) and those who ate sugary food like sweets thrice a week were 13(16.52%). Conclusion The study showed that the burden of dental caries still persisted among patients attending dental clinics in Ishaka- Bushenyi. Young adult age of female students was positively associated with burden of dental caries. Recommendations There is a great need to inform the public about the importance of a good proper oral hygiene practice in order to reduce dental caries. Proper planning for health services especially health education and personnel is warranted to counteract the persistent burden of dental caries in all communities. Further studies are necessary to be carried out over a wide geographical area to identify more factors influencing dental caries
