Dental caries and associated factors: prevalence among children aged 6 to 12 years in 2023 in the city of Conakry, Guinea

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Objectives To determine the prevalence of dental caries and analyze associated factors among children aged 6 to 12 years in Conakry, Guinea. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted on 869 children in Conakry, Guinea, from July to December 2023. Sociodemographic characteristics of children and their caregivers were evaluated. The DMFT index was used to measure caries prevalence. Explanatory variables included age, sex, education, district of residence, oral hygiene (OHI-S), gingival inflammation, orthodontic anomalies, and brushing habits. Descriptive, bivariate, and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to identify factors independently associated with caries prevalence. Results Among 869 children, 72.8% had dental caries (DMFT > 0) and 27.2% were caries-free. The mean DMFT score was 2.24 ± 1.96. In multivariable analysis, four factors were independently associated with dental caries: age group 10–12 years (aOR=3.44; 95% CI: 2.41–4.90; p < 0.001), poor oral hygiene as assessed by OHI-S (aOR=1.54; 95% CI: 1.10–2.16; p = 0.013), gingival inflammation (aOR=1.85; 95% CI: 1.16–2.96; p = 0.010), and use of non-standard brushing materials (aOR=1.49; 95% CI: 1.00–2.23; p = 0.050). Conclusion This study found a high prevalence of dental caries among children in urban Conakry, Guinea, driven by behavioral and clinical factors. Age group, poor oral hygiene, and gingival inflammation were identified as the main independent risk factors, with children aged 10–12 years being particularly vulnerable. These findings highlight the urgent need for targeted public health interventions, including school-based oral health education and improved access to affordable dental care to address this significant health burden.

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