Association between Malocclusion, Self-perception, Self-esteem and Socio-demographic Factors among Primary Schoolchildren in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

Aim: The aim of this study was to assess the association between malocclusion, self-perception, self-esteem, and socio-demographic factors among primary schoolchildren in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.Methods: This was an analytical cross-sectional study that involved children aged ۱۰-۱۲ years from primary schools in Dar es Salaam. A questionnaire was used to obtain information about the participants’ socio-demographics, self-perception and self-esteem. Clinical examination was done to determine their occlusal statuses. Data were analyzed using SPSS software (version ۲۲.۰), and Chi-square test and logistic regression model were used to assess statistically significant differences between variables. P<۰.۰۵ was considered as significant.Results: A total of ۶۲۰ schoolchildren participated in this study. The overall prevalence of malocclusion was ۶۶.۵%. Undesirable self-perception was reported in ۳۴.۰% and self-esteem issues in ۳۰.۰% of the schoolchildren. Significantly, many participants with less educated fathers had malocclusion compared with their counterparts (p=۰.۰۰۲). Furthermore, most children with malocclusion perceived themselves negatively and reported lower self-esteem compared with those who had no malocclusion (۷۸.۷% vs. ۲۱.۳%, p=۰.۰۰۰ and ۷۵.۸% vs. ۲۴.۲%, p=۰.۰۰۱, respectively). In the logistic regression model, the presence of malocclusion remained as a significant determinant of schoolchildren perceiving themselves negatively and reporting lower self-esteem (OR: ۲.۴, CI: ۱.۶۲-۳.۵۴, p= ۰.۰۰۰ and OR: ۱.۸۲, CI: ۱.۲۳-۲.۷, p= ۰.۰۰۳, respectively).Conclusion: Conclusion: The presence of malocclusion was associated with children's negative self-perception and lower self-esteem. Malocclusion prevention and early interventions in children are highly recommended.

Keywords:

Malocclusion , Orthodontic Treatment Need