Consanguinity and Inbreeding Coefficient F in Aligarh city, India: A Cross Sectional Study

Objective: To determine the coefficient of inbreeding of consanguinity (F) and its correlates in Aligarh city, India. Material and Methods: Cross sectional household survey with a sample size of 2000 (1600 non-consanguineous and 400 consanguineous couples) using systematic random sampling. Researcher conducted the study by visiting every tenth household of every tenth ward of Aligarh city. Information was recorded on a pre-tested questionnaire, which had questions pertaining to religion, details regarding relationship between couples (consanguineous / non consanguineous marriage), type of consanguinity (first cousin/second cousin/third cousin), level of education and occupation (a proxy for socioeconomic status). Descriptive statistics, Chi-square, and multivariate logistic regression were used. Results: Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that Islam (p<0.001) and Christianity (p<0.001) were significantly associated with consanguinity. Private employment with (-) B value (p<0.001) showed a significant association of the variable with non-consanguineous group. Coefficient of inbreeding for the present study was 0.0538, highest reported from any part of India. Conclusion: Consanguinity is a prevailing problem in Aligarh city, India. Evidence based guidelines needed. Information ­ education ­ communication and pre-marital counseling suggested to make population aware of the consequences of consanguinity and to help couples make a decision.

Comparison of Two Different Non-Radiographic Mixed Dentition Analysis

Objective: To evaluate the applicability of two different non-radiographic mixed dentition analysis in school going children of Aligarh district, India. Material and Methods: Mesiodistal dimension was measured on the dental casts of 120 school going children with electronic digital vernier caliper. The following inclusion criteria were adopted: presence of all fully erupted permanent teeth; no congenital craniofacial anomalies; no previous history of orthodontic treatment; and presence of intact dentition with no proximal caries, restoration, or age related attrition. Predicted values of canines and premolars were obtained from Moyer's at 75th percentile and Tanaka and Johnston mixed dentition analysis. Descriptive statistics were used to calculate the mean and standard deviation. Paired observations were compared by t­test. The level of significance was at p<0.001. Results: The mean difference between the predicted and the actual value of canines and premolars using Moyer's probability table at 75th percentile and Tanaka and Johnston regression equation were statistically significant. No significant differences were found between Moyer's analysis 75th percentile and Tanaka and Johnston mixed dentition analysis in both arch and sexes. Conclusion: These two non-radiographic mixed dentition analysis overestimated the mesiodistal width of canines and premolars.

Knowledge, Attitude and Awareness to Dental Caries Among Indian Children and Adolescents: A Case-Control Study

Objective: To assess paternal education, parental occupation, family income, level of knowledge and to determine the attitude and awareness of cases and controls in relation to dental caries and its risk factors in 6-18 years old respondents. Material and Methods: A case-control study was carried out in the outpatient Department of Pediatric and Preventive Dentistry. A total of 800 subjects, 400 each in case and control group were enrolled. The cases were subjects in designated age group with dental caries while controls were subjects without dental caries but matched with the cases on three confounding factors ­ age, sex, and religion. Multivariate logistic regression was used, with a significance level set at 5%. Results: Paternal education [illiterate (p=0.002), high school (p=0.005), intermediate (p=0.001), graduate (p=0.002)], family income per month [2000 INR (30 USD) (p=0.016); 5000-10,000 INR (75USD -145 USD) (p=0.035)], attitude of short visit duration to dentist (p<0.001), knowledge about sweets causing dental caries (p<0.001), awareness about symptoms of dental caries (p<0.001) and need of lifestyle change (p<0.001) were significantly associated with dental caries. Conclusion: The present research showed that in cases, knowledge was higher as compared to controls whereas contrasting results were observed with attitude and awareness. These results necessitate an urgent need of national programme integrated with primary health care under school health and community outreach programmes, so as to encourage the population to adopt and as well as sustain dental health promoting lifestyles and practices and help in reducing the disease burden.

Influence of Paternal Socioeconomic Variables on Dental Caries in Lucknow City (India): A Case- Control Study.

Introduction: Dental caries, an important public health problem of children and adolescent has multi factorial causation. Different studies have brought out varying prevalence and attributed its increase to dietary factors, poor oral hygiene, lack of knowledge and paternal sociodemographic factors. The present Case – Control study was conducted to investigate the association between paternal variables and dental caries among 1 -18 year old children and adolescent of Lucknow city, India. Methods: Study was carried out in the Outpatient Department of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry, Saraswati Dental College and Hospital, Lucknow (U.P) India. Study included 400 cases with dental caries and equal number of controls without dental caries. Cases were matched with controls on three variables (age, sex and religion). Clinical examination (DMFT/deft) was done in accordance with W.H.O. criteria for epidemiological studies. Participants with fluorosis, discernible enamel hypoplasia were excluded. Patients and their fathers were interviewed using a selfprepared questionnaire. Results: In Clinical examination; mean (DMFT/deft score) was 2.77±2.25, major contribution by “D” component. Mandible was most affected arch with posteriors as most affected teeth. Educational status of father’s in control group was significantly better than the study group (p<0.001). A Statistically significant difference was observed between both the study groups as regards father’s occupation (p<0.001). The monthly income of father’s in control group was significantly higher than the study group (p<0.001). The association and strength of association was judged by Chi square test and Odds ratio at 95% confidence interval between father’s socioeconomic variables and dental caries. Conclusion: Paternal socioeconomic variables are significantly associated with dental caries among their children. Preventive measures are needed towards healthy oral practices keeping in view the paternal socioeconomic variable inequalities.