Knowledge and Perceived Importance of Oral Health: A Case Study of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

The study examined the knowledge and perceived importance of oral health among residents of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Participants were a purposive sample of 329 adults (55% male and 45% female) from Addis Ababa in Ethiopia. The response variables were knowledge of oral health and perceived importance of oral health. The predictor variables were sex, age, marital status, and educational background. A 10-point Likert Scale was used for data collection. Descriptive and inferential tools used for the analyses were frequency count, percentage, median, first and third quartiles, and interquartile range, Pearson’s Chi-squared, Fisher’s exact, Wilcoxon rank sum, and Kruskal-Wallis tests. The results revealed that 55% of respondents had a high level of knowledge about oral health, while 33% had moderate levels of knowledge. Additionally, 81% reported high levels of perceived importance of oral health, while 13% exhibited moderate levels of perceived importance of oral health. The analyses further showed a significant difference in knowledge and perceived importance of oral health in terms of sex and educational background of respondents. However, age and marital status did not indicate significant differences. The study highlights the significance of understanding the knowledge and importance of oral health in the Ethiopian context. It provides insights into educational levels and perceptions, offering valuable information for public health interventions aimed at promoting oral health awareness and practices among the population of Addis Ababa and potentially across Ethiopia.