Objectives: To assess and compare knowledge on gingivitis and oral hygiene practices among rural and urban secondary school students.
Design: A cross-section descriptive study involving secondary school students aged between 13 and 17 years in Morogoro rural and urban districts.
Methods: Questionnaire was used to collect information about knowledge on causes, signs, symptoms, complications, treatment modalities and prevention of gingivitis, as well as on oral hygiene practices.
Results: A total of 196 students participated in this study, of which 58.7% were females, and 52% were from urban schools. The responses were graded into three criteria namely 'lack of knowledge', 'partial knowledge' and 'total or full knowledge'. There was a partial knowledge about gingivitis and full knowledge of the basic oral hygiene measures among secondary school teenagers. The difference between rural and urban residence on the level of understanding was statistically significant in relation to tooth brushing practices (P = 0.0088), necessity of using toothpaste (P = 0.0204), reasons for using toothpaste (P = 0.0057), signs and symptoms of gingivitis (P = 0.0261) and treatment of gingivitis (P = 0.0106). However, there were no statistically significant differences in distribution of study participants, understanding of tooth brushing practices, reasons for tooth brushing, causes, prevention and complications of gingivitis.
Conclusion: Secondary school teenagers have partial knowledge about gingivitis and a good knowledge of the basic oral hygiene measures necessary to maintain proper oral health. A small difference on knowledge in specific areas was noted among rural and urban respondents.