Effect of health education on oral health-related quality of life among persons living with HIV at two comprehensive care centres in Kenya

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the effect of health education on quality of life of persons living with HIV/AIDS. Design: Quasi-Experimental study. Setting: Comprehensive Care Centres (CCC), at Kenyatta National Hospital and Mbagathi District Hospital. Subject: One hundred and ninety five persons living with HIV/AIDS attending CCC. Results: At baseline,48.2% of the participants had at least one oral health related attribute. There was a significant decrease in the prevalence of oral health related attributes among the cases but not the controls. A large effect size was observed in physical pain subscale among the cases after health education. Change in psychological discomfort psychological disability,handicap and functional subscales were significantly associated with change in gingival inflammation. Conclusion: Oral health education is a viable strategy in reducing oral health related attribute, leading to improved oral health related quality of life.