O.T. Alade1 and F.B. Lawal2
- Department of Preventive Dentistry, College of Medicine University of Lagos, Lagos.
- Department of Periodontology and Community Dentistry, University of Ibadan and University College Hospital, Ibadan.
Abstract
Background: Financial constraints have been reported as major barriers to utilization of dental services in developing countries. It is however unknown if financial incentives will improve dental service utilization among civil servants in Nigeria.
Objective: To evaluate the effect of financial incentive on the utilization of dental services among civil servants in Ibadan, Nigeria.
Methods: This was a pilot trial among two clusters of civil servants in Ibadan, Nigeria. In both groups, the civil servants participated in an oral health education programme, a dental screening exercise and referral for dental treatment. In addition to this, the experimental group got a financial incentive to present for treatment. The two groups were followed up for a period of twelve weeks. Data were analysed using SPSS.
Results: A total of 109 civil servants participated in the study. There were 62 in the control group and 47 in the experimental group. The mean age of the study participants in the control group was 42.1 + 8.75 years, mean DMFT was 0.95 + 1.87 and 94% of them had an unmet dental need. Similarly, in the experimental group the mean age was 44.7 + 11.68 years, mean DMFT was 0.45 + 0.95 and 98% of them had an unmet need. There was no significant difference between the two groups at baseline. At twelve weeks, none of those referred for treatment in the control group presented for treatment while only 3 (6.4%) experimental group presented for dental treatment. No statistical difference was observed (p=0.077).
Conclusion: In this study financial incentive did not result in significant increased utilization of dental care services among adults.
Keywords: Dental service utilization, Civil servants, Financial incentive
Correspondence:
Dr. O.T. Alade
Department of Preventive Dentistry,
College of Medicine,
University of Lagos,
Lagos, Nigeria.
E-mail: lolaalade@live.com
Introduction
Oral health has assumed increasing importance because it is now recognized as necessary for general health. One factor that determines good oral health is the appropriate and timely use of preventive and curative dental services. Attaining and maintaining good oral health is particularly pertinent for the working population because these diseases and their sequelae decrease their productivity.1 However, several factors preclude the use of dental ser vices including unperceived need and inadequate finances.2, 3
Predisposing factors, enabling factors and need predict the utilization of healthcare services.4 Studies show that the best predictor of dental service use is patient need. In Nigeria, many of the studied populations have been noted to have unmet dental needs.2 Despite this, many do not seek dental care until complications have set in.5 Other contributing factors such as financial constraints may be important in view of the economic challenges in the country. In addition, payment schemes
for financing dental care such as insurance is limited.6 Out of pocket expenditure is the major type of dental care financing in Nigeria.6, 7 Therefore, the Nigerian citizen bears the brunt of health care costs with over 95% of private expenditure on health being out of pocket. Furthermore, the National Health Insurance Scheme in the country serves only about 3% of Nigerians 8 and somewhat predictably, dental services are secondary level services in this insurance scheme. Therefore, non-life threatening dental need may be overshadowed by more pressing demands such as need for food, housing, transport and medical care.
In view of these, financial constraint may be an important factor affecting dental care seeking behavior in our environment. As such, financial incentive is expected to remove one of the barriers to accessing dental care and enable people with dental need demand for care.9 The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of financial incentive on the utilization of dental services among civil servants in Ibadan, Nigeria.
METHODOLOGY
Study Area
Ibadan is an ancient town in Oyo State, Nigeria. There are five local government areas (LGA) in Ibadan city. These are Ibadan North, North-West, North-East, South-East and South-West LGAs. The study was conducted in the two local government secretariats of Ibadan North and Ibadan North-West LGAs.
Study Design
This pilot trial was a randomized controlled study to evaluate the effect of financial incentive on the utilization of dental services among civil servants in Ibadan, Nigeria. Two local government secretariats of Ibadan North and Ibadan North-West LGAs, were purposively selected for the study. They were then randomized into control and experimental groups using sealed envelopes.
Study Population
The staff of Ibadan North and Ibadan North West local government secretariats. These are local government workers of all cadres.
Sampling and Subject Selection
All staff at both LGA secretariats were invited to participate in a one-day oral health outreach programme held at each local government secretariat. The oral health outreach programme comprised oral health education, screening for oral diseases and referral to the same primary oral health clinic. Those who participated in the oral health outreach programme and consented to take part in the study were recruited to take part in this pilot trial.