Research

Psychometric properties and the prevalence, intensity and causes of oral impacts on daily performance (OIDP) in a population of older Tanzanians

IA Kida^1,2 , AN Åstrøm^1,3 , GV Strand⁴ , JR Masalu² and G Tsakos⁵

¹  Centre for international health, UoB, Bergen, Norway

²  Muhimbili University College of Health Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

³  Department of Odontology-Community Dentistry, UoB, Bergen, Norway

⁴  Department of Odontology-Gerodontology, UoB, Bergen, Norway

⁵  Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University College of London Medical School, UK

author email corresponding author email

Health and Quality of Life Outcomes 2006, 4:56doi:10.1186/1477-7525-4-56

Published:	27 August 2006

Abstract

Background

The objective was to study whether a Kiswahili version of the OIDP (Oral Impacts on Daily Performance) inventory was valid and reliable for use in a population of older adults in urban and rural areas of Tanzania; and to assess the area specific prevalence, intensity and perceived causes of OIDP.

Method

A cross-sectional survey was conducted in Pwani region and in Dar es Salaam in 2004/2005. A two-stage stratified cluster sample design was utilized. Information became available for 511 urban and 520 rural subjects (mean age 62.9 years) who were interviewed and participated in a full mouth clinical examination in their own homes.

Results

The Kiswahili version of the weighted OIDP inventory preserved the overall concept of the original English version. Cronbach's alpha was 0.83 and 0.90 in urban and rural areas, respectively, and the OIDP inventory varied systematically in the expected direction with self-reported oral health measures. The respective prevalence of oral impacts was 51.2% and 62.1% in urban and rural areas. Problems with eating was the performance reported most frequently (42.5% in urban, 55.1% in rural) followed by cleaning teeth (18.2% in urban, 30.6% in rural). More than half of the urban and rural residents with impacts had very little, little and moderate impact intensity. The most frequently reported causes of impacts were toothache and loose teeth.

Conclusion

The Kiswahili OIDP inventory had acceptable psychometric properties among non-institutionalized adults 50 years and above in Tanzania. The impacts affecting their performances were relatively common but not very severe.