Assessment of Knowledge, Attitudes and Utilisation of Professional Dental Care Services Among Rural Residents of Ikwerre Local Government Area, Rivers State, Nigeria

Abstract

Oral health is an essential component of overall health and quality of life; however, utilisation of professional dental care services remains low in many rural communities in Nigeria. Knowledge and attitudes toward dental care are key determinants of service utilisation, particularly in underserved populations. This study assessed the knowledge, attitudes, and utilisation of professional dental care services among rural residents of Ikwerre Local Government Area, Rivers State, Nigeria. Method: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 300 rural residents selected using multistage sampling. Data were collected using a structured interviewer-administered questionnaire. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize respondents’ knowledge, attitudes, and utilisation of dental care services, while Chi-square tests were used to examine associations between socio-demographic characteristics and knowledge and attitudes. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Result: Most respondents demonstrated good knowledge of oral/dental health (84.3%). Despite this, attitudes toward dental care utilisation were largely negative, with 63.7% of respondents exhibiting unfavourable attitudes. Utilisation of professional dental care services was generally low and largely symptom-driven. Sex and monthly income were significantly associated with knowledge of oral/dental health (p < 0.05). Attitude toward dental care utilisation was significantly associated with level of education, occupation, and monthly income (p < 0.001), while age, marital status, and sex showed no significant association. Conclusion: Although knowledge of oral health was relatively high among rural residents of Ikwerre Local Government Area, negative attitudes toward dental care and low utilisation of professional services persist. Socioeconomic factors play a significant role in shaping attitudes and knowledge, underscoring the need for targeted oral health education, attitude-focused interventions, and improved accessibility and affordability of dental services in rural communities.