Socio-Demographic Characteristics Associated With Dental Caries among Patients Attending Malindi Sub-County Dental Clinic, Kenya

Purpose: The goal of this study was to determine socio-demographic characteristics associated with dental caries among patients attending dental clinic at Malindi sub-county. Methodology: The study design was a cross-sectional descriptive study design consisting of 223 participants. This study took place at the Malindi Sub County Dental Clinic. A systematic random sampling method was used to pick the participants on a daily basis until we had contacted all the eligible individuals and enrolled them. This study was done from March, 2023 to November, 2023 approved by ERC reference (ISERC/MSc/041/2022). The pretested questionnaire was used for collecting data on socio-demographic characteristics associated with dental caries among patients attending dental clinic at Malindi sub-county. The data were analyzed using statistical package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) Version 21.The descriptive statistics were done on socio-demographic factors, associated with the dental caries among dental patients seeking services in Malindi Sub County. The data was presented in frequency tables. Ethical approval no P688/09/2016) was obtained. Findings: The study recruited 223 participants, 117 (52.5%) female and 106 (47.5%) males. Of the 223 participants, 49 (21.9%) were less than 18 years old, 63 (28.3%), 76 (34.1%) and 35(15.7%) were 18 to 29, 30 to 49 and ≥50 years old respectively. The prevalence of dental caries found in this study was 72.6% among patients attending Malindi sub county Hospital dental clinic. The socio-demographic factors, associated with the dental caries were those aged 18- 29 years who were 2 times at risk of having dental caries as compared with those aged less than 18years old. Almost two-thirds (n=138, 61.9%) reported to occasionally use sugary food, 72 (32.3%) moderately sugar exposures per day. Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: This study revealed a high prevalence of dental caries among patients visiting the dental clinic in Malindi Hospital. The demographic factors associated with dental caries were among ages 18 to 29 years old. Oral health care should focus on addressing dental caries and emphasized in the policies by Ministry of health aimed at mitigating dental caries among this age group.