Table 2.
Factors associated with dental caries amongst primary school children in Harar, Eastern Ethiopia, 2018
| Variables | Number (%) |
|---|---|
| Bread as a major staple food | |
| Yes | 243 (59.7) |
| No | 164 (40.3) |
| Pasta as major staple food | |
| Yes | 211 (51.8) |
| No | 196 (48.2) |
| Consumption of sugared tea (Daily) | |
| Yes | 367 (90.2) |
| No | 40 (9.8) |
| Consumption of soft drinks (Daily) | |
| Yes | 310 (76.2) |
| No | 97 (23.8) |
| Consumption of sweet foods (Daily) | |
| Yes | 358 (88.0) |
| No | 49 (12.0) |
| Daily cleaning teeth | |
| Yes | 257 (63.1) |
| No | 150 (36.9) |
| Way of cleaning teeth | |
| Toothbrush with paste | 126 (49.0) |
| Tooth stick | 115 (44.7) |
| Toothbrush and tooth stick | 16 (6.2) |
| Rinse with water (After each meal) | |
| Yes | 354 (87.0) |
| No | 53 (13.0) |
| Dental ache history | |
| Yes | 148 (36.4) |
| No | 259 (63.6) |
| Treatment seeking places for dental ache | |
| Health institution | 66 (16.2) |
| Pharmacy | 17 (4.2) |
| Traditional healer | 11 (2.7) |
| Nowhere | 313 (76.9) |
| Salivary pH | |
| Acidic (< 6.5) | 198 (48.6) |
| Neutral (6.75–7.25) | 127 (31.2) |
| Basic (> 7.25) | 82 (20.1) |