Knowledge and Oral Health Related Behaviour Among Visually Impared Subjects in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Abstract Background: Oral health is a global issue. It has an enormous impact on the overall health and well-being of an individual. In addition, many studies indicate visual impairment as one of the constraints for proper maintenance of oral hygiene. However, little is known about visually impaired individuals' oral health knowledge and behavior in Ethiopia, Specifically in Addis Ababa. Therefore, this study is conducted to assess the oral health knowledge and related behaviors among participants with visual impairment in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Methods: The study was carried out at the Ethiopian National Association for the blind, located in Addis Ababa, the capital city of Ethiopia. Convenience sampling was used from the visually impaired library attendees' in the blind association. Sixty-five individuals, of which 46 males and 19 females, agreed to take part in the study. Of these, 30.8% had partial and 69.2% total visual impairment.Results: 61.3% with totally and 72% with partially visually impaired scored high in the knowledge of caries causes respectively. The use of tooth brushing was confirmed by 42.2% with totally and 25% with partially visually impaired. The use of Traditional chewing sticks was confirmed by 57.7% with totally and 30% with partially visually impaired individuals. Moreover, both (Toothbrush & Traditional chewing stick) was used by 35.5% totally and 55% partially visually impaired individuals, respectively.Conclusions: The study showed the awareness about the causes of Dental Caries among the visually impaired was high. However, the majority of them had a significant misconception about the causes of dental caries.