The risk for the periodontal diseases in Ilala, Tanzania
The aim of this study was to evaluate the associations between periodontal diseases and the common risk factors in Ilala, Tanzania. For the study, 1,764 subjects were randomly selected and interviewed to determine the behavioral and socioeconomic background. The subjects were examined clinically for the presence of plaque, calculus, gingival inflammation, probing depth, and gingival recession. Analysis showed that the risk factors for gingivitis were male sex, presence of plaque or calculus, and use of "mswaki"; the risk factors for periodontal pockets were the age of 35 or more, presence of plaque or calculus, and rural residence. The risk factors for gingival recession were the age of 35 or more, male sex, lower educational status, presence of plaque, and gingival inflammation. The most significant factors for periodontal disease were age, sex, education, rural residence, plaque, and calculus. [E.L.H.]
Mumghamba, E., H. Markkanen, and E. Honkala, J Clin Periodont, 22:347,1995