| dc.description.abstract | Cultural practices are indigenous traditions, practices and beliefs carried out by various communities worldwide for various reasons. For instance, for beauty reasons, social class, therapeutic reasons, transition from one age group to another and cultural acceptance. Studies done in Africa reveal that over 80% of African communities practise their traditional cultural practices, which they perceive to be affordable, available and culturally acceptable. In spite of them being helpful, a number of them could be detrimental to both general and dental health. Most people however, are unaware of the negative effects of these practices.
The aim of this study was to determine the knowledge, attitude and cultural practices in the Kamba community, in Kenya. This was a descriptive cross-sectional study, conducted in Senda village located in Ukambani, Makueni district. The sample size was 164 adults, (above 18 years) and was selected using systematic random sampling method. However, 0nly 120 adults were interviewed due to time constraint and transport problems. A semi-structured interviewer administered questionnaire with open-ended and close-ended questions was used to collect information.
The data collected was analyzed using SPSS and chi-square tests, and the results presented in tables, graphs and pie charts. More males than females were interviewed with the most common age group being 26-30years.Most of the interviewees were casual labourers. Filing of teeth for beauty and acceptance was the most popular practise among others like use of herbs and brushing of teeth with chewing sticks to relieve pain and clean teeth respectively. The most practised dental cultural practices were the use of herbs (for pain relieve, fear of dentists and availability) and rubbing of gums in teething children (to treat diarhoea). A majority had a positive attitude towards the practices and only a few were aware of their side effects. There was a downward trend of the practices probably due to westernization. Reasons like lack of dental awareness and lack of dental healthcare facilities in the vicinity could be attributed to the persistence of some practices like use of herbs and the poor knowledge of the detrimental effects of some of the Kamba practices.
Overall, cultural practices are still widely practised in the Kambas because of their tradition and the fact that they are locally available and affordable. There is a predilection to the illiterate and casual labourers though the Kambas are highly knowledgeable on their practices with a positive attitude towards them; they have poor knowledge on the harmful effects.
As per this current study, the government could make modern dental care facilities available and affordable to the community and public health care workers come up with education programs. In addition, policy makers can come up with awareness programs to enlighten the Kamba on the side effects of the practices Furthermore more researches should be done in the area and the district as well as in other communities for more information. | en |
