The problems and impacts of orofacial pain among a group of Malaysian aborigines
- Author:
Z.Y.M. Yusof
;
N. Mohamed
;
Z. Radzi
;
N.A. Yahya
;
A.S. Ramli
;
R. Abdul-Kadir
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
orofacial pain;
impacts;
quality of life;
Malaysian aborigines
- From:
Annals of Dentistry
2007;14(1):31-38
- CountryMalaysia
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Background: The high prevalence and impacts of
orofacial pain (OFP) have caused major sufferings
to individuals and society. The purpose of the study
was to investigate the problems and impacts of OFP
among a group of Malaysian aborigines. The
objectives were to determine (i) the prevalence,
aetiology, duration, severity, types and persistence of
OFP during the past 3 months preceding the study;
(ii) its associated impact on daily performance; and
(iii) the measures taken for pain relief.
Methods: This is a cross sectional study carried
out in Kuala Lipis, Pahang involving 6 villages of
Orang Asli Bateq and Semai. Study sample was
chosen using convenient sampling including adults
aged 16 years and above. Participants were invited
for an interview using structured questionnaire
followed by clinical examination. Data analysis was
carried out using SPSS ver12.
Results: Response rate was low at 20% (n = 140).
Over one-quarter (26.4%) of the sample experienced
OFP in the previous 3 months. Toothache was found
to be the main aetiology (83.3%) followed by
gingival pain (18.9%), temporomandibular joint
(10.8%) and facial pain (8.1%). Mean duration of
pain was 9.8 days for toothache, 162.4 days for
gingival pain, 7.3 days for TMJ and 5.7 days for
facial pain. Of those who had OFP, over half rated
the pain as moderate (37.8%) and severe (29.7%) and
most of the pain was ‘intermittent’ in nature
(81.1%). Over half (62.2%) admitted the pain had
disappeared during the interview. In terms of pain
relief, 56.8% of the sample used traditional medicine.
The pain had impacted on the chewing ability
(70.3%, p=0.01), ability to sleep at night (73.0%,
p<0.001), levels of anxiety (70.3%), ability to
perform daily chores (33.3%) and social life (35.1%)
of the Orang Asli sample.
Conclusion: This study suggests the prevalence
of OFP was high among the Orang Asli sample,
which imposed considerable physical and
psychological impacts on daily life.
- Full text:W020150904320484655725.pdf
