Table 5 Bivariate and multivariate analysis of variables associated with dental caries among patients visiting dental OPD of government tertiary hospital in western Nepal

Sex

Yes

No

Male

62

17

ref

Female

114

26

1.20 (0.60 ± 2.38)

0.79

(0.34–1.82)

0.58

Education

Illiterate

10

2

ref

SLC and below

41

10

0.82(0.15–4.34)

0.45

(0.07–2.92)

0.40

Higher Secondary

52

13

0.80(0.15–4.10)

0.32

(0.05–2.13)

0.24

Bachelor and above

22

8

0.55(0.09–3.07)

0.18

(0.02–1.29)

0.08

Not revealed

51

10

1.02 (0.19–5.37)

0.40

(0.05–2.72)

0.35

Insured

Yes

95

81

ref

No

27

16

1.43

(0.72–2.85)

2.35

(1.03–5.36)

0.04

Frequency of tooth-Brushing

Once or less than once a day

79

16

ref

Twice or more than twice a day

97

27

0.72

(0.36–1.44)

0.63

(0.27–1.46)

0.28

Rinsing mouth last time after eating sweets

Yes

68

23

ref

No

108

20

1.82

(0.93–3.57)

3.07

(1.31–7.18)

0.01

Cleaning tongue

Yes

132

28

ref

No

44

15

0.62

(0.30–1.27)

0.41

(0.16–1.04)

0.06

Use of Dental floss

Yes

16

5

ref

No

160

38

1.31

(0.45–3.81)

1.45

(0.41–5.12)

0.56

Visit to the dentist during the last 12 months

Yes

121

22

ref

No

55

21

0.47

(0.24–0.93)

0.42

(0.18–0.94)

0.03

Fresh fruit

Not daily/Never

107

34

ref

Once or more than once daily

69

9

2.43

(1.10–5.39)

2.70

(1.04–6.99)

0.04

Biscuits, cakes, cream, sweet pies, buns etc.

Never

21

7

ref

-

-

Not daily

124

30

1.37

(0.53–3.54)

0.51

(0.12–2.20)

0.37

Once or more than once daily

31

6

1.72

(0.50–5.85)

0.95

(0.16–5.46)

0.95

Lemonade, Coca Cola or other soft drinks

Never

42

11

ref

-

-

Not daily

124

30

1.08

(0.49–2.34)

1.09

(0.40–2.95)

0.86

Once or more than once daily

10

2

1.31

(0.25–6.86)

0.44

(0.06–3.14)

0.41

Jam/honey

Never

49

15

ref

-

-

Not daily

116

26

1.36

(0.66–2.80)

1.78

(0.73–4.30)

0.19

Once or more than once daily

11

2

1.68

(0.33–8.45)

1.13 (0.19–6.78)

0.88

Chewing gum containing sugar, sweets/candy

Never

38

12

ref

-

-

Not daily

112

27

1.31

(0.60–2.83)

1.22

(0.37-4.00)

0.73

Once or more than once daily

26

4

2.05

(0.59–7.06)

1.65

(0.32–8.53)

0.54

Milk, Tea/Coffee with sugar

Never

19

5

ref

-

-

Not daily

26

10

0.68

(0.20–2.33)

0.96

(0.23–3.88)

0.95

Once or more than once daily

131

28

1.23

(0.42–3.57)

1.53

(0.44–5.23)

0.49

Tobacco use

Yes

6

5

ref

-

-

No

170

38

3.72

(1.08–12.85)

14.19

(2.55–78.99)

0.002