Background‍

Oral health is an important part of general health and quality of life, but knowledge about oral health in rural areas of Nepal is limited. Women in these areas often face challenges related to access to healthcare services, education, and financial resources. There is therefore a need for more knowledge about the prevalence of oral diseases and how oral health is linked to physical and mental health in this population.

Method‍

The project is based on data from a population study conducted in 2019 among women in the Kavre district of Nepal. Participants were recruited from a previous health survey and examined at local health centers and village meeting places. Data collection included interview-based questionnaires on health, living conditions, oral health, use of dental services, oral health-related quality of life, and mental well-being (WHO-5 index). In addition, clinical dental examinations were conducted based on WHO guidelines, including the recording of caries, tooth loss, gum bleeding, pocket depths, and saliva flow. Blood pressure, body weight, and height were also measured, and blood samples were taken for analysis of, among other things, vitamin D and blood sugar. Approximately 700 women participated in the various sub-studies.

Objective‍

The overall objective of the project is to increase knowledge about oral health among women in rural areas of Nepal. The sub-objectives are:

Study 1, oral health and blood pressure

• Map the prevalence of caries, tooth loss, gum disease, and other oral health challenges among the women.
• Describe the use of dental services and oral health behavior.
• Examine the relationship between oral health and blood pressure, as well as other risk factors for non-communicable diseases.

Study 2, oral health, quality of life, and mental well-being

• Map self-perceived oral health and oral health-related quality of life.
• Examine how oral health problems affect daily life, function, and social participation.
• Explore the relationship between oral health-related quality of life and mental well-being.

The project will provide new knowledge about oral health in a vulnerable and under-researched population, and provide a basis for the development of targeted public health measures that can strengthen both oral and general health among women in rural areas of Nepal.

Results

Study 1 showed a high prevalence of oral diseases among the women, including caries, gum disease, and tooth loss. At the same time, access to and use of dental services were limited, and very few had received restorative dental treatment. The study also examined the relationship between oral health and blood pressure, and found that both oral health problems and elevated blood pressure were common in the population. The manuscript is under review.

Study 2 showed that more than half of the women reported problems related to oral health-related quality of life, particularly pain and chewing difficulties. The study also showed that women who experienced such problems had a lower level of mental well-being than women without oral health complaints. The findings suggest that oral health may be significant for both quality of life and mental well-being in this population group. The manuscript is under review.

Collaborating institutions

• NTNU
• St. Olavs Hospital
• Kathmandu University School of Medical Sciences, Nepal

External funding

The project is funded by Global Health, NTNU.