Prevalence Of Temporomandibular Disorders Among Students at Hage Geingob Campus, Of the University of Namibia: A Cross- Sectional Study
Abstract:
Background: This study intended to investigate the prevalence of temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD) symptoms among students at Hage Geingob Campus, along with factors involved in the aetiology of the disorder.
Methods And Materials: The study included a sample of 155 students of the Hage Geingob Campus. Information required for the study was gathered by means of a questionnaire. The first part of the questionnaire was designed to collect the demographic variables of the participants, while the second part included ten questions related to the signs and symptoms of TMDs, based on Fonseca’s Anamnestic Index (FAI), which was as well used to evaluate the presence and severity of TMDs.
Data Collection and Analysis: An online questionnaire generated using Google Forms was used to collect data. The data was gathered over a period of one month, and was analysed using Microsoft Excel, a spreadsheet software.
Results and Discussion: The results showed that approximately 59.35% of participants exhibited some signs of TMD. According to FAI, 40.65% of participants were classified as having no dysfunction, followed by mild (46.45%), moderate (9.68%), and severe dysfunction (3.23%). This significant prevalence underscores the importance of the problem statement which highlighted that TMDs, despite being a crucial topic in dentistry, are often poorly documented.
Conclusion and Recommendations: A high prevalence of mild TMD was found among the participants of this study. This study has established a solid framework for further research into TMDs, highlighting the significance of comprehending its prevalence and associated characteristics, particularly in persons exposed to situations that are academically challenging. As we go, it would be of benefit to broaden the research's focus to include students from different academic fields and institutions. Such a strategy would go beyond the boundaries of a specific academic setting and provide a comprehensive assessment of TMD prevalence and its contributing factors.
