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Table 3 Predictor for use of preventive oral health practices by sex for school children in Southern Nigeria (N = 1863)

From: Preventive oral health practices of school pupils in Southern Nigeria

 

Sex

Unadjusted OR (CI)

p-Value

Age* adjusted OR (CI)

p-Value

Female (Ref. group)

Male

Brushing

      

    Once a day or less 1832 (68.5%)

972 (66.9%)

860 (70.3%)

    

    More than once a day 845 (31.5%)

481 (33.1%)

364 (29.7%)

0.86 (0.73 – 1.01)

0.06

0.85 (0.72 – 1.00)

0.06

Flouride tooth paste

      

    Not always 467 (17.4%)

260 (17.9%)

207 (16.9%)

    

    Always 2210 (82.5%)

1193 (82.1%)

1017 (83.1%)

1.07 (0.88 – 1.31)

0.51

1.02 (0.83 – 1.26)

0.84

Flossing

      

    Less than once a day 2424 (90.5%)

1313 (90.4%)

1111 (90.8%)

    

    At least once a day 253 (9.5%)

140 (9.6%)

113 (9.2%)

0.95 (0.74 – 1.24)

0.72

1.00 (0.77 – 1.30)

1.00

Practice of recommended oral self-care

      

    Not perfect 2465 (92.2%)

1327 (91.3%)

1138 (93.0%)

    

    Perfect 212 (7.8%)

126 (8.7%)

86 (7.0%)

0.80 (0.60 – 1.06)

0.12

0.80 (0.60 – 1.06)

0.12

Snaking in-between meals

      

    Once a day and more 1866 (69.8%)

953 (65.6%)

913 (74.6%)

    

    Less than once a day 811 (30.2%)

500 (34.4%)

311 (25.4%)

0.65 (0.55 – 0.77)

<0.001

0.66 (0.55 – 0.78)

<0.001

Dental visit (Check-up)

      

    Less than once a year 2331 (87.3%)

1288 (88.6%)

1043 (85.2%)

    

    At least once a year 346 (12.7%)

165 (11.4%)

181 (14.8%)

1.35 (1.08 – 1.70)

0.009

1.40 (1.11 – 1.76)

0.004

Smoking

      

    Not Current smoker 2469 (92.2%)

1337 (92.0%)

1132 (92.5%)

    

    Smoker 208 (7.8%)

116 (8.0%)

92 (7.5%)

0.94 (0.70 – 1.25)

0.65

1.00 (0.75 – 1.34)

0.99

  1. *Age as a dichotomous variable (8–10 years vs. 11–16 years).