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Lookup NU author(s): Helen Jarvis, Emerita Professor Anne Maguire, Professor Richard Walker
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Introduction Fluorosis is endemic throughout the East African Rift valley, including parts of Tanzania. The aim of the study was to identify all cases of deforming juvenile skeletal fluorosis (JSF) in a northern Tanzanian village and to document the extent of dental fluorosis (DF). Methods Door-to-door prevalence survey of all residents of the village. Residents were assessed for the presence of DF and JSF. Those with JSF and randomly selected controls from the same age range were further assessed for possible JSF risk factors. Results The village had a population of 1435. DF was endemic within the population, being present in 911 (75.5%; 95% CI, 73.077.9) of dentate individuals who were examined (n similar to=similar to 1207). JSF was present in 56 of 1263 people examined, giving a prevalence of 4.4% (95% CI, 3.35.6) and was more common in males. Low body mass index, drinking predominantly well water 3 similar to years previously, not being weaned on bananas, the use of fluoride salts in cooking during childhood and drinking more cups of tea per day were independent predictors of JSF. Conclusions Juvenile skeletal fluorosis is a common and preventable public health problem. Providing clean, low-fluoride, piped water to affected communities is of obvious health benefit.
Author(s): Jarvis HG, Heslop P, Kisima J, Gray WK, Ndossi G, Maguire A, Walker RW
Publication type: Article
Publication status: Published
Journal: Tropical Medicine & International Health
Year: 2013
Volume: 18
Issue: 2
Pages: 222-229
Print publication date: 30/11/2012
ISSN (print): 1360-2276
ISSN (electronic): 1365-3156
Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Ltd.
URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/tmi.12027
DOI: 10.1111/tmi.12027
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