Prevalence and associated factors of periodontal disease in Ethiopia: systematic review and meta-analysis
Background: Periodontal disease, a chronic bacterial infection of the periodontium, is the major cause of tooth loss, masticatory dysfunction, and edentulism. These outcomes adversely affect nutritional status, self-esteem, and quality of life, while also contributing to significant healthcare costs and socio-economic burden. Although oral diseases affect approximately 3.5 billion people globally, with 75% residing in low- and middle -income countries, the national prevalence of periodontal disease in Ethiopia remains undetermined.
Objective: This review aimed to determine the pooled prevalence and associated factors of periodontal disease in Ethiopia.
Method: A systematic search was conducted across PubMed, Scopus, Embase, and Google Scholar to identify relevant studies on periodontal disease in Ethiopia, from inception to April 2023, with no language restrictions. Data were extracted using Microsoft Excel and analyzed in Stata version 17. The pooled prevalence and associated factors were estimated using a random-effects mode due to the high heterogeneity. Heterogeneity was assessed using the Higgs I2 statistic and the Cochrane Q test. Subgroup and sensitivity analyses were conducted to explore source of heterogeneity. The review adhered to the PRISMA guidelines, and the protocol was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42023415994).
Result: Thirteen studies comprising 10,744 participants were included. The pooled prevalence of periodontal disease in Ethiopia was 35% (95% CI: 25% – 45%) with substantial heterogeneity (I2=99.46%). The highest prevalence was reported in Addis Ababa (42%; 95% CI: 29% to 55%) and among institutionalized individuals (49%; 95% CI: 44 – 55%). Regular toothbrushing was associated with lower odds of periodontal disease (OR = 0.26; 95% CI: 0.24 – 0.28), while male gender (OR = 0.72, 95% CI: 0.64 – 0.80) and carbohydrate intake (OR = 0.54, 95% CI: 0.44 – 0.65) were significantly associated with a reduced risk of periodontal disease in Ethiopia.
Conclusion: Periodontal disease affects approximately one in three Ethiopians, with higher prevalence among institutionalized populations. Key determinants include inadequate oral hygiene, female gender, and dietary habits. These findings underscore the need for targeted oral health interventions, including the promotion of regular tooth brushing and dietary modification. National policies should support standardized diagnostic guidelines and integrate oral health services into broader community health programs.
Keywords
Authors
How to Cite
Download Citation
License
Copyright © 2026 The Author(s)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
Similar Articles
- Zeki Abdurahman, Mohammed Kedir, Chronic Sigmoid Volvulus , Ethiopian Journal of Health and Biomedical Sciences: Vol. 3 No. I (2010)
- Alebachew Abebe, Kumela Ayansa, Kasahun Takele, Modeling Determinants of Time to Death of Stroke Patients at Harar Regional State, Ethiopia: Application of Shared Frailty Models , Ethiopian Journal of Health and Biomedical Sciences: Vol. 15 No. 1 (2025)
- Zeki Abdurahman, Mohammed Kedir, Obstructive Jaundice Due To a Fasciola Hepatica Worm in an Ethiopian Patient , Ethiopian Journal of Health and Biomedical Sciences: Vol. 3 No. I (2010)
- Baye Gelaw, Natalie J. Garton, Abraham Aseffa, Michael Richard , Molecular Characterization of Mycobacteria Causing Pulmonary Tuberculosis in Gondar, North-West Ethiopia , Ethiopian Journal of Health and Biomedical Sciences: Vol. 6 No. 1 (2014)
- Takele Tadesse, Assefa Getachew, Mengesha Admassu, Yigzaw Kebede, Tadesse Awoke, Tesfahun Melese, Solomon Amsalu, Shitaye Alemu, Gashaw Andargie, Belaynew Wassie, Yifokir Tefera, Sisay Yifru, Kassahun Alemu, Samuel G/ Selassie, Solomon Meseret, Demographic and Health Survey at Dabat District in Northwest Ethiopia: Report of the 2008 Baseline Survey , Ethiopian Journal of Health and Biomedical Sciences: Vol. 4 No. 1 (2011)
- Amare Minyihun, Measho G /selassie, Yalemzewod Assefa, Ayal Debie, Getasew Amare, Willingness to Join Community-Based Health Insurance among Rural Households of Bugna District, Northeast Ethiopia , Ethiopian Journal of Health and Biomedical Sciences: Vol. 10 No. 1 (2020)
- Yigzaw Kebede, Gashaw Andarge, Tesfahun Melesse, Temesgen Azmeraw, Takele Tadesse, Yiforkir Tefera, Abebaw Gebeyehu, Tadesse Awoke, Kassahun Alemu, Sisay Yifru, Afework Kassu, Tefera Abula, Mengesha Admassu, Shitaye Alemu, Solomon Meseret, Digsu Negesse, Getu Degu, Solomon Mekonnen, Berihun Megabiaw, Wondwosen Zemene, Assefa Getachew, Belaynew Wassie, Solomon Amsalu, Mamo Wubshet, Mezgebu Yitayal, Fasil Tessema, Yihunie Lakew, Tariku Dejene, Ejigu Gebeye, Melkamu Birku, Yosef Fekadu, Population Dynamics in Dabat Health and Demographic Surveillance System Sites, Dabat District, Northwest Ethiopia: A Four-year Surveillance Report (2009 To 2012) , Ethiopian Journal of Health and Biomedical Sciences: Vol. 7 No. 1 (2015)
- Adane Kebede, Measho Gebreslassie, Mezgebu Yitayal, Willingness to Enroll For Community-Based Health Insurance and Associated Factors among Household Heads in the Rural Community of Fogera District, Northwest Ethiopia , Ethiopian Journal of Health and Biomedical Sciences: Vol. 10 No. 1 (2020)
- Mezgebu Yitayal , Yemane Berhane, Alemayehu Worku, Yigzaw Kebede, Job Satisfaction of Health Extension Workers in West Gojjam Zone, Amhara Region, Ethiopia , Ethiopian Journal of Health and Biomedical Sciences: Vol. 8 No. 1 (2017)
- Feleke Mekonnen, Tadesse Alamir, Setegn Eshetie, Sintayehu Daba, Tuberculosis data management, knowledge and associated factors in public-private mix dots implementing health facilities in Bahir dar city, North west Ethiopia , Ethiopian Journal of Health and Biomedical Sciences: Vol. 10 No. 1 (2020)
You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.
Most read articles by the same author(s)
- Dessie Abebaw, Mengistu Berhanu, Ewnetu Genet, Binyam Tilahun, Exploring the Impact of Division of Labor among Health Workforce on Compassionate, Respectful, And Caring Health Professional implementation at Felege-Hiwot Referral Hospital, Amhara Region, North-West Ethiopia , Ethiopian Journal of Health and Biomedical Sciences: Vol. 12 No. 1 (2022)
- Aberham Abere, Abebe Genetu Bayih, Adane Derso, Dessie Abebaw, Ligabaw Worku, Mulugeta Aemero, Schistosoma mansoni in Lake Tana: A comprehensive assessment of parasite, snail vector, and associated factors at Gorgora, Northwest Ethiopia , Ethiopian Journal of Health and Biomedical Sciences: Vol. 13 No. 2 (2023)