Fatores associados à dor nos dentes da população em situação de rua de belo horizonte - IV censo 2022

Abstract

The homeless population faces multiple social, economic, and health-related vulnerabilities, including significant barriers to accessing oral healthcare. These disparities directly impact the quality of life and overall well-being of this population, making it essential to investigate underexplored health conditions such as tooth pain. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of tooth pain among individuals experiencing homelessness in the city of Belo Horizonte and to investigate its association with sociodemographic and mental health factors. The study utilized data from the IV Census of the Homeless Population (2022) and was conducted as a cross-sectional, census-based investigation between October 19 and 21, 2022, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. Data collection was carried out through the digital administration of structured questionnaires on geolocated tablets using the Survey application. Participants included individuals aged 18 years or older, either homeless or residing in improvised dwellings, according to the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE) definition. Field teams were composed of trained coordinators, interviewers, and peer researchers. The questionnaire addressed sociodemographic variables, health conditions, and access to public services. Tooth pain was measured through self-report. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 26.0, employing descriptive statistics, association tests (Pearson’s Chi-square or Fisher’s exact test), and logistic regression for variables with p < 0.2, aiming to estimate adjusted odds ratios (ORs). A total of 2,365 individuals were analyzed, of whom 33.8% reported experiencing tooth pain. Prevalence was higher among women, individuals with children, and those with specific health conditions such as sexually transmitted infections (STIs) (55.8%) and HIV/AIDS (58.6%) (p < 0.000). Logistic regression analysis revealed that a history of domestic violence (OR = 2.57), psychiatric hospitalization (OR = 1.74), and depressive disorder (OR = 2.06) significantly increased the likelihood of reporting tooth pain. Individuals with STIs and HIV/AIDS had 2.73 and 4.79 times higher risk, respectively. Conversely, good overall health status was identified as a protective factor, reducing the likelihood of experiencing tooth pain by 48.8% (OR = 0.51; p = 0.015). The findings indicate a high prevalence of tooth pain among people experiencing homelessness, strongly associated with health conditions and social vulnerabilities. Strengthening public oral health policies and intersectoral collaboration is crucial to addressing these disparities and ensuring accessible, integrated care for this population.