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Life sciences · Journal article
International Journal of Medical Sciences and Pharma Research · August 30, 2026
Early or partial results. Treat as a signal, not a conclusion.
This cross-sectional survey reports 51.1% dental caries prevalence among 325 primary school children in Kigali, Rwanda, with bivariate associations identified for residence, dental visit frequency, parental reminders to brush, parental tooth-checking, and parental knowledge. The study is descriptive; causal relationships cannot be inferred from bivariate analysis alone, and findings are specific to three schools in one sector.
Cross-sectional study with stratified random sampling. Children aged 5–11 years attending public primary schools in Kimironko Sector, Kigali, Rwanda.. Intervention: No intervention; observational study with clinical examination and parental questionnaire.. n = 325. Three public primary schools (G.S. Kimironko I & II, E.P. Kibagabaga) in Kimironko Sector, Kigali, Rwanda..
Dental caries prevalence was 51.1% (95% CI: 45.7–56.5%) Residence associated with caries (OR=1.75, 95% CI: 1.11–2.76, p=0.015) Parental reminders to brush associated with caries (OR=2.55, 95% CI: 1.35–4.81, p=0.003)
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The findings highlight that caries prevalence in this Rwandan population exceeds national and regional estimates and is associated with modifiable parental behaviors and environmental factors. However, the cross-sectional design and lack of multivariate adjustment limit causal inference; these results should prompt school-based preventive interventions but should not be used to establish causation of individual risk factors.
Single-center cross-sectional survey with descriptive prevalence and bivariate associations only; no multivariate analysis, no causal inference, and limited generalizability beyond three schools in one sector.
As stated by the source record.
Quoted from the source exactly as published.
The findings highlight that caries prevalence in this Rwandan population exceeds national and regional estimates and is associated with modifiable parental behaviors and environmental factors. However, the cross-sectional design and lack of multivariate adjustment limit causal inference; these results should prompt school-based preventive interventions but should not be used to establish causation of individual risk factors.
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Background: Dental caries represents a significant public health challenge in low- and middle-income countries, yet epidemiological data from sub-Saharan Africa remain scarce. Objective: To determine the prevalence of dental caries and identify associated risk factors among 5–11-year-old children attending public primary schools in Kimironko Sector, Kigali, Rwanda. Methods: This cross-sectional study employed stratified random sampling to recruit 325 children from three public primary schools (G.S. Kimironko I & II, E.P. Kibagabaga) between November 2024 and June 2025. Data collection comprised clinical oral examinations by calibrated dental examiners using WHO diagnostic criteria and parent-completed structured questionnaires assessing sociodemographic characteristics, dietary habits, oral hygiene practices, and parental knowledge. Chi-square tests examined bivariate associations, with statistical significance set at α=0.05. Results: Dental caries prevalence was 51.1% (95% CI: 45.7–56.5%), with significant inter-school variation. Significant associations emerged for residence (OR=1.75, 95% CI: 1.11–2.76, p=0.015), dental visit frequency (p=0.045), parental reminders to brush (OR=2.55, 95% CI: 1.35–4.81, p=0.003), parental tooth-checking behavior (p=0.002), and composite parental knowledge score (p=0.031). Fluoride treatment showed an inverse association that did not reach statistical significance (OR=0.42, 95% CI: 0.17–1.07, p=0.077). No significant associations were detected for age, gender, or dietary habits. Conclusions: Dental caries prevalence among Kimironko primary school children exceeds both national and regional estimates and was significantly associated with modifiable environmental and behavioral factors rather than demographic characteristics in bivariate analyses. Our findings underscore the urgent need for school-based preventive interventions to reduce this substantial disease burden. Keywords: dental caries; child oral health; epidemiology; risk factors; fluoride; parental involvement; Rwanda; East Africa
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