Socio-economic Determinats of Utilization of Oral Health Care Services in Kenya

Abstract

Oral health plays a vital part of the general health of an individual. Poor oral hygiene status lowers the quality of life of all individuals alike as it affects aspects of their lives such as chewing, speech and their facial appearance. According to the 2015 STEPS survey, 32 per cent of individuals reported to have pain in the oral region in the past 1 year in Kenya. However, only 11 per cent visited a dentist. The aim of the study was to examine the socio-economic determinants factors of utilization of oral healthcare services in Kenya. The study estimated a logit model and analyzed data from the 2015 STEPS survey. The findings indicate that the presence of oral pain, education and poverty, were the most significant determinants of oral health services utilization. Individuals who had pain, who had higher levels of education and those who belonged to rich wealth quintiles were more likely to use oral health care services. Investment in promotive and preventive oral healthcare services can aid in raising awareness on when to seek care leading to improvements in individuals’ oral health status. There is also need to subsidize the cost of oral health care services.