Associations between dental problems and underweight status among rural women in Burkina Faso : results from the first WHO Stepwise Approach to Surveillance (STEPS) survey

Objective: To explore the relationships between dental problems and underweight status among rural women in Burkina Faso by using nationally representative data. Design: This was a cross-sectional secondary study of primary data obtained by the 2013 WHO Stepwise Approach to Surveillance survey conducted in Burkina Faso. Descriptive and analytical analyses were performed using Student's t test, ANOVA, the chi (2) test, Fisher's exact test and logistic regression. Setting: All thirteen Burkinabe regions were categorised using quartiles of urbanisation rates. Participants: The participants were 1730 rural women aged 25-64 years. Results: The prevalence of underweight was 16 center dot 0 %, and 24 center dot 1 % of participants experienced dental problems during the 12-month period. The women with dental problems were more frequently underweight (19 center dot 9 % and 14 center dot 7 %; P < 0 center dot 05) and had a lower mean BMI (21 center dot 1 +/- 3 center dot 2 and 21 center dot 6 +/- 3 center dot 7 kg/m(2), P < 0 center dot 01) than those without dental problems. More risk factors for underweight were observed in less urbanised regions among elderly individuals (> 49 years old) and smokeless tobacco users. Age > 49 years, professions with inconsistent income, a lack of education, smokeless tobacco use and low BMI were factors that were significantly associated with dental problems, while residency in a low-urbanisation area was a protective factor. Conclusion: The prevalence of underweight in rural Burkinabe women is among the highest in sub-Saharan Africa, and women with dental problems are more frequently affected than those without dental problems. Public health measures for the prevention of these disorders should specifically target women aged over 49 years and smokeless tobacco users.