Dietary patterns and oral health practices among primary school children aged 6–15 years in urban informal settlements of Eldoret City, Kenya

BACKGROUND: Dental caries remains one of the most prevalent chronic conditions among school-aged children, disproportionately affecting those in informal settlements where dietary risks and preventive oral health services are limited. AIM: This study assessed dietary patterns, oral hygiene practices, and their association with dental caries among primary school children aged 6-15 years in informal settlements of Eldoret City in Uasin Gishu County, Kenya. METHODS: The study adopted a school-based cross-sectional design and involved 407 primary school children selected using proportionate stratified random sampling. Data was collected using a validated and pretested structured questionnaire, while clinical oral assessment was based on WHO field guidelines for the examination of dental caries. Data was analyzed using SPSS v.26. Chi-square tests assessed associations, and bivariate and multivariate logistic regression models were used to identify independent dietary patterns and oral hygiene practices associated with dental caries. RESULTS: Out of 407 children, 55.3% were females, and their average mean age was 12.15 ± 2.98 years. The prevalence of dental caries was 26.0% (95% CI: 21.8-30.3). Daily consumption of sugary foods and beverages and suboptimal oral hygiene practices were relatively high. Multivariate logistic regression models revealed daily intake of biscuits, cakes, sweet pies, and buns (AOR = 2.31; 95% CI: 1.36-3.74; p = 0.004), daily consumption of sweets and candy (AOR = 2.42; 95% CI: 1.35-3.91; p = 0.006), brushing less than twice daily (AOR = 2.92; 95% CI: 1.18-3.87; p = 0.023), and not using fluoride toothpaste (AOR = 1.83; 95% CI: 1.12-2.61; p = 0.043) were independently associated with higher odds of dental caries among primary school children. CONCLUSION: Integrated school- and community-based prevention strategies targeting dietary patterns and oral hygiene promotion are urgently needed to reduce preventable oral health inequities among vulnerable schoolchildren.