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Bad-breath: Perceptions and misconceptions of Nigerian adults
S O Nwhator1, G I Isiekwe, M O Soroye
1Department of Preventive and Community Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, College of Health Sciences, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, Osun, Nigeria.
Nigerian Journal of Clinical Practice
|June 23, 2015
Summary
Nigerian adults often misunderstand bad breath (halitosis), wrongly associating it with contagiousness rather than dental issues. However, most would inform loved ones about their bad breath for treatment.
Area of Science:
- Oral Health
- Public Health
- Social Science
Background:
- Bad breath, or halitosis, is a common concern with significant social implications.
- Understanding public perception is crucial for effective health education and intervention.
- Limited data exists on halitosis perception among Nigerian adults.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish baseline data on the perception and misconceptions surrounding bad breath in Nigerian adults.
- To identify knowledge gaps regarding the causes and management of halitosis within this population.
Main Methods:
- A multi-center, cross-sectional study was conducted involving individuals aged 18-64 years.
- Examiner-administered questionnaires were used to collect data.
- Statistical analyses included univariate and secondary log-linear statistics, with age comparisons based on emerging versus full adult models.
Main Results:
- A significant majority (90.8%) correctly identified dentists as halitosis experts, and 89.4% knew it's not contagious.
- However, only a small percentage (4.4% and 2.5%) linked bad breath to tooth decay and gum disease, respectively.
- Older adults demonstrated slightly better knowledge in some areas, with no significant sex differences observed.
Conclusions:
- Nigerian adults exhibit a skewed understanding of bad breath, recognizing its social impact but lacking accurate knowledge of its dental origins.
- A strong social inclination exists, with most respondents willing to inform spouses (92.9%) and friends (85%) about their halitosis to encourage treatment seeking.
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