ILLNESS BEHAVIOUR AND UTILIZATION OF ORAL HEALTH CARE FACILITIES AMONG TRADERS IN MUSHIN MARKET

Abstract

Maintenance of good oral hygiene is of paramount importance to oral health, this is due to the fact that oral health is a mirror of overall health and well-being. The use of available oral health facilities is a step in the right direction. The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge, level of utilization, and illness behavior of traders in Mushin market towards use of oral health care facilities.
Cross-sectional study comprised of 300 adults traders with stalls in Mushin market. Data was collected using a structured interviewer administered questionnaire, with segments on socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge, level of utilization, and illness behavior towards the use of oral health care facilities. Data was analyzed using Epi-Info, version 7. Test of association was assessed using Chi-square test (P=0.05).
A total of 300 adults participated in this study with a mean age of 37.7±12.1. Two hundred and eleven (70.3%) were females, two hundred and sixty one (87.3%) had a good level of knowledge of oral health care facilities. Only ten (3.3%) respondents had any significant level of dental health facility utilization, 90 % had poor illness behaviours as regards oral healthcare.
Although most respondent had a good knowledge of dental health facilities in close proximity and availability of dental services, most sought treatment in numerous places apart from the dental clinic.