Influencing factors of caries among Tibetan primary school studentsin Maqu County / 预防医学

ABSTRACT

Objective@# To investigate the prevalence and influencing factors of caries among Tibetan primary school students in Maqu County, Gansu Province, so as to provide insights into caries control among children living in ethnic minority areas.@*Methods@# Tibetan primary school students at grades three to six were sampled from two primary schools in Maqu County using a multi-stage cluster sampling method. Primary school students' demographics, dietary habits and oral health habits were collected using questionnaire surveys, and the caries was tested. Factors affecting the development of caries were identified using a multivariable Poisson regression model.@*Results@# A total of 378 Tibetan primary school students were tested, and there were 334 students with caries, with a caries prevalence rate of 86.30%, and a mean caries number of (4.72±2.69) teeth. Multivariable Poisson regression analysis showed that grade (grade 5, IRR=0.791, 95%CI 0.706-0.886; grade 6, IRR=0.698, 95%CI 0.593-0.822), frequency of vegetable intake (less than once daily, IRR=0.872, 95%CI 0.778-0.978; once daily, IRR=0.769, 95%CI 0.677-0.873; twice and more daily, IRR=0.571, 95%CI 0.469-0.696), frequency of tooth brushing (once daily, IRR=0.814, 95%CI 0.734-0.904; twice and more daily, IRR=0.606, 95%CI 0.521-0.703) and frequency of oral examinations (IRR=0.736, 95%CI 0.594-0.911) were influencing factors of caries. @*Conclusion @#The prevalence of caries is 86.30% among Tibetan primary school students at grades 3 to 6 in Maqu County, and age, dietary habit and oral health habit are factors affecting the development of caries.