Table 3 Factors associated with dental caries experience (D₄MFT ≥ 1)^a among adults in Butajira HDSS, South-central Ethiopia

Age group

18–24

1

[Reference]

1

[Reference]

25–34

1.53**

1.11–2.10

1.28

0.95–1.71

35–44

2.59***

1.92–3.48

1.76***

1.31–2.39

45–54

2.64***

1.95–3.56

1.80***

1.33–2.43

55–64

2.95***

2.21–3.95

1.75***

1.29–2.38

65+

3.18***

2.39–4.22

2.02***

1.50–2.74

Sex

Female

1

[Reference]

1

[Reference]

Male

1.01

0.89–1.15

1.09

0.94–1.25

Educational status

No formal education

1

[Reference]

1

[Reference]

Primary school

0.62***

0.54–0.72

0.76***

0.66–0.89

Secondary school

0.42***

0.32–0.56

0.59***

0.44–0.80

Higher education

0.40***

0.27–0.60

0.55**

0.37–0.82

Location

Urban

1

[Reference]

1

[Reference]

Rural

1.27***

1.12–1.45

0.97

0.85–1.10

Utilisation of dental care services

Never

1

[Reference]

1

[Reference]

Ever

1.68***

1.51–1.87

1.51***

1.36–1.68

Frequency of tooth cleaning

Never/ Rarely

1

[Reference]

1

[Reference]

Less than once a day

0.74***

0.63–0.87

1.01

0.78–2.60

Once a day

0.61***

0.49–0.76

0.93

0.70–2.26

Twice or more per day

0.87

0.73–1.04

1.11

0.86–1.44

Tooth cleaning material

Toothbrush

1

[Reference]

1

[Reference]

Mefakiya^b / Chewstick

1.32*

1.16–2.79

0.97

0.70–1.36

Wooden toothpicks

1.37**

1.21–3.31

0.94

0.66–1.33

Other

1.46*

0.95–6.02

1.05

0.69–1.61

Use of toothpaste

Yes

1

[Reference]

1

[Reference]

No

1.52***

1.22–1.89

0.92

0.63–1.34

Frequency of Khat chewing

Never

1

[Reference]

1

[Reference]

Less than weekly

1.28**

1.08–3.12

0.96

0.80–1.15

More than once a week

1.33***

1.30–3.31

1.16

0.98–1.36

Every day/nearly every day

1.52***

2.01–6.30

1.38***

1.15–1.64

Level of sugar consumption risk

Higher^c

1

[Reference]

1

[Reference]

Moderate^d

0.99

0.76–1.28

0.95

0.75–1.20

Lower^e

1.29*

1.02–1.65

1.12

0.90–1.40