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Osuh ME, Oke GA, Lilford RJ, Osuh JI, Lawal FB, Gbadebo SO, Owoaje E, Omigbodun A, Adedokun B, Chen YF, Harris B. Oral health in an urban slum, Nigeria: residents' perceptions, practices and care-seeking experiences. BMC Oral Health 2023; 23:657. [PMID: 37689626 PMCID: PMC10492367 DOI: 10.1186/s12903-023-03303-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2023] [Accepted: 08/11/2023] [Indexed: 09/11/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND/INTRODUCTION One of the key recommendations for the new WHO global strategy for oral health is inclusion of disadvantaged populations and their engagement in policy dialogues such that their needs and views are addressed in policy decisions. OBJECTIVES This study explored oral health perceptions, practices and care-seeking experiences of slum residents in Ibadan, Nigeria. METHOD Focus group discussions (FGD) were conducted with family health-decision makers in an urban slum site. Oral health perceptions, practices, and care-seeking experiences were discussed. FGDs were recorded, transcribed, and translated. ATLAS.ti qualitative research software was deployed for analysis using thematic analysis. RESULTS Six FGD sessions, divided by gender and age, were conducted between September-October 2019, (N = total 58 participants, aged 25 to 59 years). Common dental ailments mentioned were dental pain, tooth sensitivity, bleeding gums, tooth decay, mouth odor, gum disease, and tooth fracture. Perceived causes of dental conditions included poor dental hygiene and habits, sugary diets, ignorance, and supernatural forces. Mouth cleaning was mostly done once daily using toothbrush and paste. Other cleaning tools were ground glass, wood ash, charcoal, "epa Ijebu" (a dentrifice), and "orin ata" (a type of chewing stick). Remedies for relieving dental pain included over-the-counter medicines, warm salted water, gin, tobacco (snuff/powdered), cow urine/dung, battery fluid, and various mixtures/ concoctions. Visits to the dentists were mentioned by a few but this was usually as last resort. Main barriers to accessing care from dental care facilities were unaffordability of service charges and fear of extreme treatment measures (extraction). Suggested measures to improve timely access to dental health care included reducing/subsidizing costs of treatments and medications, offering non-extraction treatment options, and oral health education programmes. CONCLUSION The slum residents experience various forms of dental ailments mostly pain-related. The residents perceived formal dental clinics as unaffordable, thereby engaging in self-care remedies and harmful oral health practices before seeking professional help. Policymakers and decision-makers may leverage this empirical evidence for the people's education on early dental care and address challenges to affordable, available, and acceptable oral healthcare services among slum residents to improve access to care facilities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary E Osuh
- Division of Health Sciences, Warwick, Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK.
- Department of Periodontology and Community Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria.
- University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria.
| | - Gbemisola A Oke
- Department of Periodontology and Community Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria
- University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria
| | - Richard J Lilford
- Division of Health Sciences, Warwick, Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK
- College of Medical and Dental Sciences, Institute of Applied Health Research, The University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Jackson I Osuh
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, Federal University, Oye-Ekiti, Nigeria
| | - Folake B Lawal
- Department of Periodontology and Community Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria
- University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria
| | - Shakeerah O Gbadebo
- University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria
- Department of Restorative Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria
| | - Eme Owoaje
- University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria
- Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Public Health, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria
| | - Akinyinka Omigbodun
- University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Clinical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria
| | | | - Yen-Fu Chen
- Division of Health Sciences, Warwick, Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK
| | - Bronwyn Harris
- Division of Health Sciences, Warwick, Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK
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Seeley J, Grellier R, Barnett T. Gender and HIV/AIDS impact mitigation in sub-Saharan Africa--recognising the constraints. SAHARA J 2004; 1:87-98. [PMID: 17601014 PMCID: PMC11132633 DOI: 10.1080/17290376.2004.9724831] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022] Open
Abstract
In discussions of gender and HIV/AIDS, attention has focused on prevention. This is a vital area. However, we argue that there is also a need to focus more attention on the resulting impact of the epidemic, because inequalities that promote the spread of infection are also hampering containment and impact mitigation. We propose a framework highlighting the gendered constraints exacerbated by the epidemic. These constraints are reviewed under the following headings: Gender-specific constraints: stemming from the specific nature of gender relations themselves, such as the availability of labour in agriculture, business and for household tasks, as well as access to services and markets, and the incidence of gendered violence. Gender-intensified disadvantages: stemming from the uneven and often inequitable distribution of resources between men and women, including cultural/religious conventions, and the social rules and norms that regulate property rights, inheritance practices and resource endowments. Gender-imposed constraints: resulting from biases and partialities of those individuals who have the authority and power to allocate resources. These include provision of credit, information, agricultural extension and health care. The differential involvement of men and women in development programmes affects access to resources, as does political participation, including involvement in the formulation of policies aimed at poverty reduction. These constraints take us beyond gender relations and sexual behaviour. But women's lives will not change in the short term. The challenges they face in mitigating the impact of HIV/AIDS will not be addressed by focusing only on their specific vulnerability to HIV/AIDS infection. Unequal gender relations and the nature of'development' need to be changed too.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Seeley
- School of Development Studies, University of East Anglia, Norwich.
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