Oral pain among young adolescents in Tanzania: A cross-sectional study

Oral diseases are among the most common non-communicable diseases and adolescence represents an important time for intervention. The epidemiology of oral health is not well understood in low-resource settings. This study estimates the prevalence and correlates of oral pain and quality of life among adolescents in Tanzania. Baseline, cross-sectional data from a large randomized controlled trial of 1095 adolescents were analyzed. The primary outcome was self-reported oral pain in the past month. Regression models were conducted to assess the relationships between the prevalence of oral pain and sociodemographic characteristics and oral-health related behaviors. A chi-square test was used to explore associations between the experience of oral pain and quality of life measures from the EQ-5D-5 L instrument. The prevalence of oral pain was 13% (95% CI: 11.0, 15.9). No associations were observed between oral pain and most sociodemographic or behavioral factors. One association was found between perceived competence and reported oral pain in both the unadjusted (Prevalence ratio (PR): 1.20 95% CI: 1.04, 1.40) and adjusted models, (PR: 1.26, 95% CI: 1.07, 1.50). Analyses also showed associations with imprecise estimates between oral pain and district, maternal occupation, paternal occupation, and household hunger. A positive association was observed between reported oral pain and anxiety/depression and pain/discomfort measured on the EQ-5D-5 L quality of life instrument. This study contributes to the growing body of literature on the prevalence of oral pain among in-school adolescents. Findings support the need for population-based interventions to support good oral health among all adolescents.