ASSESSMENT OF ORAL HYGIENE PRACTICE AMONG DIABETIC PATIENTS IN SELECTED GOVERNMENTAL HOSPITAL S OF GURAGE ZONE, SOUTH ETHIOPIA,

Abstract

Background: Diabetes is a group of metabolic disorders that affect the body’s ability to process and use sugar (glucose) for energy. The success of long-term maintenance therapy for diabetes depends largely on the patients’ adherence with self-care practices People with uncontrolled diabetes are at a greater risk for several oral health problems, particularly periodontal (gum) disease. Good oral hygiene and regular dental visits are recommended to prevent and manage oral health problems. Even if, proper oral hygiene is important aspects of self-care practice for diabetic patient, there has been little evidence in Ethiopia, particularly in Guragezone,on its level of practice and factors that hinder its implementation. Thereforethe aim of this study wasto assess the oral hygiene practice of diabetes patients in gurage zone. Objective: To assess magnitude of oral hygiene practice among Diabetic patients in Gurage zone Governmental Hospitals,2021. Methods: An institutional based cross sectional study was conducted from July 1/2013 to 30/2013 E.C and a data was collected from 404 diabetic patients in Wolkite university specialized Hospital, Butajira Generalized Hospital and Gunchire district hospital.Pre-tested and structured questioners was used to collect the data. Data was interred and analyzed on statistical package for social science (SPSS) version 25.. Result: A total of 404(100% respondent rate) adult diabetic patient were participated. Among the study participants most of them 297(73.5%) were marred, 217(53.7%) of them rural residence,229 (56.7%) of them gurage in ethinicity, 345(85.4%)of them have family income above 1500 ETB,336(83.2%) of them were type 2 DM patients. 10 | P a g e More than one thired of the respondents 175(43.3%) poor oral hygiene knowledge,330(81.7%%) know that keeping oral hygiene is important for health,273(67.6%) knows cleaning teeth prevents tooth decay,172(42.6) knows failure to clean teeth worsen diabetes and more than half of the respondents 187(46.2%) have poor oral hygiene practice Conclusion: In our study area oral hygiene practice of the study subject were poor in which more than one third of the participant had poor oral hygiene practice, therefore a community level education to enhance public awareness about oral health is ne