HIV Impact on Oral Health-Related Quality of Life in Kenya

Abstract

University of Washington Abstract HIV Impact on Oral Health-Related Quality of Life in Kenya Max Louis Black Chair of Supervisory Committee:Ana Lucia Seminario Department of Pediatric Dentistry Purpose: This longitudinal study investigates the impact of HIV status on oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) in children living in West Kenya. Methods: The 360 children aged 3-4 years from Kisumu County were enrolled from 31 clinics/hospitals and followed up for 12 months. This longitudinal study analyzed scores from Early Childhood Oral Health Impact Scale (ECOHIS) questionnaires given to parent-caregivers at 0, 6, and 12 months after enrollment. The three groupings of 120 were recruited by HIV status: HIV+, HIV-exposed but uninfected (HEU), and unexposed and uninfected (HUU). Caregivers evaluated OHRQoL across four domains: symptoms, function, psychological well-being, and self-image/social interaction. Higher ECOHIS scores indicated a greater perceived negative impact. Data from dental exams by a calibrated examiner at each point of the study included dental caries, plaque, gingival bleeding, abnormal findings, fluorosis, erosion, and salivary gland swelling. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-test, and regression analysis (P<.05). Results: Mean age was 3.4 years, with the majority as female (51%), attending private school (47%), and living in a rural area (49%). At 0 and 6 months, the HIV group reported the lowest ECOHIS score (8%, 8%) compared to the HEU (12%, 12%) and the HUU (22%, 20%) in “Difficulty of drinking cold and hot beverages” (P=.006, .04 respectively). No statistically significant differences were found for other domains. Conclusion: The data does not validate the hypothesis that positive HIV status negatively impacts OHRQoL in 3–4-year-old children living in Kisumu, Kenya.