Prevalence of Dry Mouth and Associated Demographic, Behavioral and Clinical Factors: A Hospital-based Study among the Elderly in Dar Es Salaam

Aim: This study aimed at determining the prevalence of self-reported and clinically determined dry mouth among elderly patients attending a referral hospital in Dar es Salaam; and to assess factors associated with the condition. Methodology: This cross-sectional study included elderly patients aged 60 years and above who were attending Mwananyamala referral hospital in Dar es Salaam between January and February 2017. Data was collected using structured interview questionnaire, followed by clinical oral examination. Chi-square test was used to check for bivariate associations between variables; and multiple logistic regressions to determine relative contribution of demographic, behavioral and clinical variables on dry mouth. Results: Information was obtained from a total number of 334 elderly patients aged 60-90 years, response rate 86%. The prevalence of self-reported dry mouth (xerostomia) was 65.3% and clinically determined dry mouth 64.1%. Multiple logistic regression analyses revealed that elderly participants who were 70+ years old (OR=2.0, CI=1.1-3.6 and OR=2.5, CI=1.5-4.4); those who used tobacco (OR=2.1; C.I=1.2-3.5 and OR=2.9; CI=1.5-5.6,); those having at least one tooth with cervical caries (OR=1.7, CI=1.0-2.9 and OR=2.9; C.I=1.7-5.1) and poor oral hygiene (OR=2.7; C.I=1.6-4.5 and OR=4.3; C.I=2.5-7.3) were significantly at higher odds for xerostomia and clinically determined dry mouth, respectively. Level of education, systemic disease, and use of systemic medication showed no statistically significantly association with dry mouth i.e xerostomia and clinically determined dry mouth. Conclusions: The results of this study revealed that, the prevalence of complaints of xerostomia and clinically determined dry mouth were high among elderly patients attending Mwananyamala referral hospital. The condition was significantly associated with socio demographic, clinical and behavioral factors showing the need for multi-disciplinary oral health care for this group of population.