Tufts University School of Dental Medicine, US.
Dental Training School, Lusaka, Zambia.
Ann Glob Health. 2023 Oct 9;89(1):68. doi: 10.5334/aogh.4179. eCollection 2023.
This study aimed to (a) describe an annual prevention-focused, community-based oral health outreach program in rural Zambia, (b) assess its oral health outcomes using demographic and oral health variables, and c) identify milestones resulting from program activities.
A retrospective analysis of demographic and oral health data from a single site between 2007-2014 and 2018-2019 was conducted. Demographic variables included sex and age, while clinical outcomes encompassed pain, untreated caries, and treatment urgency. Bivariate and multivariable analyses were performed, adjusting for sex and age categories. Information on community development was obtained from the Ministry of Health and local community representatives.
Data from 5,791 subjects were analyzed. The prevalence of pain, untreated caries, and highest treatment urgency category decreased consistently across year categories. Both bivariate and multivariable analyses showed statistically significant differences in clinical outcomes between year categories ( < 0.001). In addition, the percentage of male participants and younger age categories increased during the study period. Key program milestones included the installation of two boreholes for clean water, the development of a local community oral health volunteer program, the establishment of an educational pipeline by the Dental Training School for residents, and the construction of a maternal/oral health center with district and ministry oversight.
The observed decrease in treatment urgency scores, presence of pain, and untreated caries are consistent with the prevention-seeking behavior of program participants. The increasing participation and changing demographic patterns over time suggest a growing demand for oral health services among males and younger individuals. The positive oral health outcomes and development of a maternal child/oral health facility exemplify a program design aligned with community needs and appropriate care delivery.
本研究旨在：(a)描述赞比亚农村地区一项年度以预防为重点、以社区为基础的口腔健康外展计划；(b)使用人口统计学和口腔健康变量评估其口腔健康结果；(c)确定源自计划活动的里程碑。
对 2007-2014 年至 2018-2019 年期间单一地点的人口统计学和口腔健康数据进行回顾性分析。人口统计学变量包括性别和年龄，而临床结果包括疼痛、未经治疗的龋齿和治疗紧迫性。进行了单变量和多变量分析，并根据性别和年龄类别进行了调整。社区发展信息来自卫生部和当地社区代表。
对 5791 名受试者的数据进行了分析。疼痛、未经治疗的龋齿和最高治疗紧迫性类别的患病率在逐年类别中持续下降。单变量和多变量分析均显示临床结果在逐年类别之间存在统计学显著差异（<0.001）。此外，研究期间男性参与者和较年轻年龄组的比例有所增加。关键的计划里程碑包括安装两个用于清洁水的钻孔机、发展当地社区口腔健康志愿者计划、牙科学院为居民建立教育渠道以及在地区和部监督下建立母婴/口腔健康中心。
观察到治疗紧迫性评分、疼痛存在和未经治疗的龋齿减少，这与计划参与者的预防寻求行为一致。随着时间的推移，参与人数的增加和人口统计学模式的变化表明，男性和年轻个体对口腔健康服务的需求不断增加。积极的口腔健康结果和母婴/口腔健康设施的发展体现了与社区需求和适当护理提供相一致的计划设计。
