Table 4

Multiple Logistic regression Odds ratios (95% CI) for oral pain experience during last 12 months and reasons for not seeking oral emergency care by independent variables residence, sex, age and education

Independent variables^§

Dependent variables^#

Residence

(urban/rural)

Sex

(male/female)

Age-groups;

(young/older)

Education

(educated/less educated)

Pain during the last 12 months

1.19 (0.97–1.45)

1.30 (1.07–1.57)**

1.57 (1.29–1.91)***

1.34 (1.03–1.75)*

Reasons for not using oral care facilities

- Lack of money for treatment

1.10 (0.81–1.51)

1.37 (1.03–1.83)*

1.36 (1.01–1.81)*

1.60 (0.98–2.63)

- Lack money for transport

2.12 (1.34–3.36)**

1.07 (0.73–1.55)

1.51 (1.04–2.20)*

1.89(0.89–4.01)

- Dental clinic far from home

5.31 (2.09–13.54)***

0.72 (0.42–1.25)

2.80 (1.59–4.93)***

2.91 (0.69–12.33)

- Self medication at home

3.65 (2.25–5.94)***

1.37 (0.96–1.95)

1.36 (0.95–1.93)

1.51 (0.76–2.99)

- Thought pain will disappear

0.84 (0.58–1.22)

0.76 (0.53–1.09)

0.85 (0.59–1.24)

1.45 (0.81–2.58)

- Treated by traditional healer

5.31 (2.25–12.49)***

0.69 (0.41–1.15)

1.07 (0.64–1.79)

3.43 (0.82–14.41)

- No substantial reason

0.58 (0.45–0.75)***

0.68 (0.54–0.85)**

0.61 (0.48–0.78)***

0.64 (0.45–0.92)*

§ = independent variables coding (italicised category = 0; non-italicised category = 1)

# = dependent variables coding (no = 0; yes = 1); with "yes" as an outcome of interest

*P < 0.05; **P < 0.01; ***P < 0.001

Kikwilu et al. BMC Oral Health 2008 8:28   doi:10.1186/1472-6831-8-28