Oral health-related quality of life among people living with HIV and HIV-negative adults in Kigali, Rwanda: A comparative cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background Assessing health-related quality of life has become integral to people living with HIV (PLHIV) follow-up. However, there is a lack of data regarding the impact of oral health on quality of life, known as Oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) among PLHIV compared to HIV-negative individuals in Rwanda. Aim The study aimed to assess OHRQoL among PLHIV compared to HIV-negative counterparts in Kigali, Rwanda. Methods The Oral Health Impact Profle short version (OHIP-14) questionnaire was interviewer-administered to 200 PLHIV and 200 HIV-negative adults (≥ 18 years old) at an HIV clinic of Kigali Teaching Hospital (CHUK). Sociodemographic characteristics, including age, sex, occupation, and socioeconomic status (SES) of participants, were collected using a survey questionnaire. A 4-point Likert scale was used to assess the frequency of oral impacts for all 14 items within 7 domains of the OHIP tool. The descriptive statistics were used to see frequencies and percentages of OHRQoL among PLHIV and HIV-negative persons, respectively. The Chi-square test was used to determine the association of OHRQoL with caries (DMFT) and periodontal disease (CPITN) among PLHIV compared to HIV-negative individuals. Results The results revealed a higher prevalence of PLHIV with poor OHRQoL than HIV-negative individuals in 5 domains and almost all items of OHIP-14 except for the OHIP 3 (found it uncomfortable to eat any foods because of problems with teeth or mouth) and OHIP-14 (being totally unable to function because of problems with teeth or mouth). The findings showed statistically significant results (p ≤0.05) for the OHIP1 item “trouble pronouncing any word,” with a prevalence of 2.5% (n =11) and 2.25% (n =9) in PLHIV and HIV-negative, respectively. Also, PLHIV had a significantly higher prevalence, 2.75% (n=11) for the OHIP 13 item “life not satisfying due to teeth and mouth problems compared to HIV-negative individuals 2% (8) p≤0.05. Moreover, dental caries was significantly associated with poor OHRQoL among PLHIV and HIV-negative adults and for all 14 items of the OHIP tool. Periodontal disease was not significantly associated with OHRQoL among PLHIV and HIV-negative adults.