Abstract

DIAZ CARDENAS, Shyrley; ARRIETA VERGARA, Katherine  and  GONZALEZ MARTINEZ, Farith. Family factors associated with the prevalence of caries in school children in Cartagena, Colombia. Rev Clin Med Fam [online]. 2011, vol.4, n.2, pp.100-104. ISSN 2386-8201.

Objective: To identify sociodemographic and family factors and their association with the prevalence of caries in children attending the John F. Kennedy school in Cartagena de Indias. Design: Cross sectional study. Setting: Cartagena de Indias, Colombia. Participants: 243 students randomly selected by stratified sampling. Main Measurements: Sociodemographic and family factors (marital relationship, education and role of parents, socioeconomic status and family structure and function using the Family APGAR) and prevalence of caries (COP-D index and ceo-d). The data were analyzed based on proportions and odds ratio using the Stata 10.0 programme Results: The prevalence of caries was 51% (95% CI: 44-57), higher in females (70%; p=0.02). The role of the father as educator of his children was the only significant factor (OR: 0.40; 95% CI: 0.18 to 0.86; p <0.01) related to the prevalence of caries. Conclusions: In addition to being traditionally an economic provider, the new role of the father as educator of his children can have a positive effect on reducing dental caries. Fathers should be actively involved in the promotion and prevention activities in oral health.

Keywords : Dental Caries; Family and Community Medicine; Child.

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