Abstract
Context: Family structures can affect the oral
health of the child. However, little is known
about the impact of the family structure on oral
health of children in Africa. Aims: To determine
the association between family structure,
twice daily toothbrushing, use of fluoridated
toothpaste, caries, and oral hygiene status of
5–12?year?old children resident in semi?urban
Nigeria. Settings and Design: Secondary
analysis of the data of 601 children recruited
through a household survey conducted in Ile?Ife,
Nigeria. Subjects and Methods: The association
between dependent variables (presence of
caries, good oral hygiene, use of fluoridated
toothpaste, and twice daily toothbrushing) and
the family structure (parental structure, number
of siblings, and birth rank) was determined.
Statistical Analysis Used: Simple and multivariate
regression analysis was used to determine the
association. The regression models were adjusted
for age and gender. Results: Children who were
not primogenitor had significantly reduced odds
of using fluoridated toothpaste (AOR: 0.91; 95%
confidence interval [CI]: 0.85–0.97; P = 0.01) when
compared with children who were primogenitors
or only children. Furthermore, having 0–2 siblings
significantly reduced the odds of having caries
(AOR: 0.46; CI: 0.28–0.78; P < 0>
with children who had three or more siblings.
Children who used fluoridated toothpaste had
significantly increased odds of having good oral
hygiene (AOR: 1.64; 95% CI: 1.18–2.28; P < 0>
Conclusions: For this study population, the number
of siblings and the birth rank increased the chances
of having caries and use of fluoridated toothpaste,
respectively.
