Prevalence of periodontitis and its correlates among tribal population of Attapady block, Palakkad District, Kerala

BACKGROUND: Periodontal disease is an immunoinflammatory disease characterized by loss of clinical attachment with subsequent tooth loss. It includes periodontitis and gingivitis. The studies regarding the prevalence of periodontitis among the tribal populations are scarce. The periodontal health status of the tribal population of Attapady has not been reported so far. OBJECTIVE: The present study was conducted to assess the prevalence of periodontitis and its association with oral hygiene habits, tobacco usage, and oral health beliefs among tribal population of Attapady. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This population-based cross-sectional survey of periodontal disease consisting of 360 individuals was conducted among the tribal population of three different panchayats of Attapady. A multistage stratified random sampling was used in the selection of hamlets and cluster sampling for selection of study participants. The sociodemographic characteristics, oral hygiene habits, tobacco usage, and oral health beliefs were assessed using a questionnaire, and clinical examination was based on WHO oral health assessment form 2013. RESULTS: The prevalence of periodontal disease among tribal population of Attapady was 87.5% (95% Confidence interval [CI] 78.48, 96.51).73.3% had gingival bleeding and 13.3% had no/mild periodontitis, The proportion of periodontitis was 84.2% (95% CI 75.5, 92.8). Among chronic perioodntitis subjects 22.8% had moderate periodontitis and 61.4% had severe periodontitis. A significant association was observed between tobacco use (Odds ratio [OR] 5.6, CI 2.99, 10.74), bad oral hygiene habits (OR 4.9, CI 2.64, 9.43), unfavorable oral health beliefs (OR 3.21, CI 1.63, 6.32), and periodontitis. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of periodontal disease and periodontitis are high among tribal population of Attapady. Unfavorable oral health belief, bad oral hygiene habits, and detrimental habits like tobacco use were the modifiable risk factors identified in this group.