Contributing Factors to Challenges of Oral Health Care Services among Health Care Professionals in Anambra State

Abstract

This study assessed challenging factors to oral health care services among health care professionals in Anambra state. The descriptive survey design was utilized for the study. The population for the study was 77 oral health care professionals working in Anambra State. The sample size comprised 70 oral health care professionals that consented and present in different hospitals in Anambra State as at the time of data collection. This comprised of 33(47.15%) males and 37(52.85%) females. The instrument for data collection was a reseaecher-designed questionnaire on contributing It was face and content validated by three experts from the Department of Dental Therapy, Federal College of Dental Technology and Therapy, Enugu. Frequencies and percentages were utilized to answer the research questions. 47(62.22%)of the respondents accepted that some challenges such as non-attendance, limited centers, limited oral health professionals, lack of facilities, ignorance, culture, myths and poor public dental health education affect utilization of oral health care services while 23(37.78%) did not accept these challenges exist. 46(64.47%) of the respondents perceived individual factors as a contributory factor to the challenges affecting oral health care services. 36(52.37%) accepted socio economic factors as a contributory factor to the challenges affecting oral health care services. 34(47.28%) accepted health system factors as a contributory factor to the challenges affecting oral health care services. The researchers recommended the institution of mobile dental clinics and oral health education campaign train to ensure wider coverage for all communities in Anambra State.