Chewing Difficulty and Diet Quality among Edentulous Elderly: Descriptive Correlation Study

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Demonstrator of Gerontological Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, South Valley University, Qena, Egypt.

2 Assistant Professor of Gerontological Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Assiut University, Egypt.

3 Assistant Professor of Gerontological Nursing, Faculty of Nursing Faculty of Nursing, South Valley University, Qena, Egypt.

Abstract

Abstract Background: Edentulism is a public oral issue which negatively impacts chewing and diet quality among elderly. Aim: Assess chewing ability and diet quality among elderly. Research design: Descriptive research design was used. Setting: This research was conducted at outpatients' clinics of Qena University Hospitals and outpatients' clinics of removable prosthesis at Faculty of Dentistry, South Valley University. Sample: A purposive sample of 250 edentulous elderly. Tools: three tools have been used: Tool (I) socio-demographic characteristics. Tool (II): Chewing Function Questionnaire. Tool (III): Diet Quality Index-International. Results: The age of elderly participants mean± SD was 67.30 ± 2.34, wearing denture improve chewing ability especially elderly with partial tooth loss and a significant strong negative correlation was found between the chewing problems and diet quality (r = -0.670, p = 0.001). Conclusion: Increase chewing difficulties among non-denture wearers edentulous elderly which significantly impact diet quality. Recommendations: The current study recommended designing of health education program for elderly about use denture well and improve diet quality.

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