Oral Health Practice of Inmates of the Jos Main Prison

Objective: This study is to determine the oral health practices of inmates in Jos main Prison. Methods: A cross-sectional study, involving interviewer-administered questionnaire on teeth cleaning practices, materials and reasons for teeth cleaning before and during imprisonment. Result: The age range of the inmates was 19-73 years, with a mean of 32.55 ± 11.06 years; with about half (50.5%) of the inmates being youths in the 20-30 years range and 84.7% literacy level. 76.6% had been in the prison for between 1- 60 months. Most (98.2 %) of them admitted cleaning their teeth before imprisonment compared to the 84.7% after imprisonment. The most commonly used cleaning material before imprisonment by the inmates was tooth brush and tooth paste (84.4%); however while in prison, chewing stick (47.9%) was the most commonly used material. There was a significant difference in the teeth cleaning practice and specifically the use of toothbrush/paste among the inmates before imprisonment and while in prison (p<0.05). The practice of teeth cleaning was more common among inmates who had stayed up to 60 months (81.9%), with a drop to about 18.1% among inmates who had stayed beyond 60 months in prison (p=0.069). The most common reason by most inmates (42.3%) for cleaning their teeth is to keep their teeth clean and healthy. Conclusion: In spite of the confinement of the inmates and the inability of the prison authority to provide basic oral health services, the inmates demonstrated awareness by the innovative use of chewing sticks and other cleaning practices.