Research Article Open Access

Toombak and Other Risk Factors Associated with Dental Caries Among Adult Males in Dawan Valley, Yemen

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to determine the association between toombak use and other factors associated with the occurrence of coronal and root caries. Materials and methods: This cross-sectional study included 346 adult males aged 18 years old to 68 years old. The toombak status, sociodemographic characteristics, oral hygiene practices, and habit of eating between meals were surveyed with a structured interview questionnaire. The occurrence of dental caries was recorded according to the criteria set by the World Health Organization. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with coronal and root caries, respectively. Results: The factors associated with coronal caries were low family income (adjusted odds ratio (AOR)=6.13; 95% confidence interval (CI)=3.72, 10.11; p=0.001) and eating between meals (AOR=4.59; 95% CI=2.45, 8.64; p=0.001). The factors associated with root caries were current toombak use (AOR=12.36; 95% CI=6.28, 24.33; p=0.001) and lower educational attainment (AOR=0.26, 95% CI=0.13, 0.55; p=0.001). Conclusion: Results revealed the high association between root caries and toombak use. Therefore, the development of comprehensive prevention programs against toombak use is an urgent need in Yemen.

Badr Abdullah Al-Tayar and Mon Mon Tin-Oo

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