Enreca Health > Research Projects > Oral Health Systems
Oral Health Systems Research Development and Implementation of Oral Health Promotion in Madagascar
Period
1992 - 2004
Main Collaborating Institutions
- Copenhagen School of Dentistry
- University of Madagascar
Principal Project Coordinators
Dr. Noëline Razanamihaja
Université de Majunga, Ecole Dentaire,
Departement Santé Publique
Bucco-Dentaire, BP 98,
401 Majunga,
Madagascar
Professor Poul Erik Petersen
University of Copenhagen,
Faculty of Health Sciences,
Department for Community Dentistry, and Graduate Studies
20 Nørre Alle,
DK 2200 Copenhagen
Tel: +45 35326790
Fax: +45 32356799
E-mail: PEP @ odont.KU.DK
Project Description
At the global level, oral disease levels and patterns have changed considerably over the past decades. Traditionally, the occurrence of oral disease has been high in western industrialised countries, however, in recent years changing living conditions and lifestyles, effective use of oral health services, prevention and regular self-care practices of the population have improved oral health status, particularly among children. In contrast, many developing countries are now facing the problems of poor oral health. This is particularly the case for those countries where preventive oral care systems have not been established.
The incidence of dental caries among Malagasy children is disturbingly high and continues to rise. This is partly explained by the children's increasing consumption of sugary foods, and partly by lacking tradition of oral hygiene among parents and teachers.
The project, first of all, aims at strengthening local research in preventive oral health care, at establishing a "training of schoolteachers" programme, and at developing a national oral health promotion programme in collaboration with the Ministry of Health. Courses and training programmes have been implemented for dental students, educational materials have been developed, and school children have been educated in oral health. An analysis of nation-wide data on oral health has taken place.
The project is in its 4th and last phase, consolidating the positive results of the school-based health promotion. The health services research involves evaluation of preventative health work in local communities as well as studies of the prevalence of infectious diseases, e.g., cholera.
Research workshops and postgraduate courses have taken place locally. A Master’s in Public Health has been established. Training materials for administrative purposes have been produced by the Department of Social Odontology, University of Majunga. The development of a research library database has continued. A comprehensive national epidemiological investigation of tooth conditions has been carried out. Scientific articles have been produced and two issues of ‘Journal de Santé Publique Madagascar’ have come out. The project’s South-South dimension includes extension of work in co-operation with the Faculty of Dentistry, University of Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania, and the project here is connected to the health sector programme. In 2002, Noëline Razanamihaja, counterpart of the project completed her Ph.D. studies and 8 students completed their Masters’ theses. Two more Ph.D. projects have started, one on: “The oral health condition of pre-school children, the mothers’ knowledge, attitudes and supportive input towards healthy teeth in small children”, the other on “Risk behaviour and professional treatment of teeth, as well as the implications of ethnic practices for oral health among adults.”
Further information: Department for Community Dentistry, University of Copenhagen
