Factors Associated with Utilization of Dental Health Services in Erbil Governorate, Iraq: A Cross-Sectional Study
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.22317/jcms.v12i2.2127Keywords:
Dental Health Services, Health Services Utilization, Primary Health Care, IraqAbstract
Objective: The current study aims to examine the utilization of dental health services and to identify the associated factors among individuals attending dental units within primary health care centers (PHCCs) in Erbil Governorate, Kurdistan Region of Iraq.
Methods: A cross-sectional study included users (above 18 years old) who attainted dental unit within PHCCs in Erbil governorate. Data collection began on the 10th of October 2024 and continued until the 20th of February 2025. PHCCs that do not contain dental unit, specialized dental center and private oral health clinics and centers were excluded from this study. Statistical analyses were conducted using R software. A p < 0.05 was considered a statistically significant.
Results: Of 1,100 participants (mean age 35.9 years; 49.4% male). Regarding utilization, nearly half (47.1%) reported moderate visiting dental clinics (about six times per year), mainly for pain (55.8%). Preference for private clinics (39%) was the main reason for non-utilization. Key factors associated with utilization were participants with no formal education, primary education, secondary education, and those with chronic diseases had significantly lower odds of frequent visits whereas, higher age, rural participants, not employed, and students had significantly higher odds of frequent visits.
Conclusion: The findings of this study demonstrated that most participants had moderate utilization of dental services and largely motivated by pain rather than preventive care. There is a need for strategies to improve health education, build trust, and enhance service quality to increase utilization.
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