Patients Perceived Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice of Dental Abscess Management in Periurban District, Ghana

Table 2

Knowledge, attitude, and practice.

(a)

Indicator/response	Frequency	Percent
In your opinion, what was the cause of your dental abscess?
External trauma	4	5.3
Bone or fish prick	1	1.3
Dental caries	43	56.6
Tooth fracture	10	13.2
Other	11	14.5
No response	7	9.2
Total	76	100.0
Can you tell us the duration of your abscess?
0-2 weeks	35	46.1
3-5 weeks	10	13.2
6-8 weeks	5	6.6
9-11 weeks	3	3.9
12+ weeks	21	27.6
No response	2	2.6
Total	76	100.0
Have you ever had episode of abscess before this current one?
Yes	49	64.5
No	25	32.9
No response	2	2.6
Total	76	100.0
If yes, what kind of treatment did you use?
No treatment	6	12.2
Herbal	11	22.4
Self-medication	21	42.9
Homeopathy	1	2.0
Other	8	16.3
No response	2	4.1
Total	49	100.0

(b)

Indicator/response	Frequency	Percent
Did that mode of treatment resolve the dental abscess?
Yes	33	67.3
No	14	28.6
Do not know	2	4.1
Total	49	100.0
How long did it take you to seek alternate treatment?
0-3	31	63.3
4-6	1	2.0
10-12	3	6.1
Above 12	11	22.4
Do not know	3	6.1
Total	49	100.0
Were you influenced to seek for orthodox dental care?
Yes	42	81.6
No	9	18.4
Total	49	100.0
If yes, who convinced you to seek treatment?
Self	13	31.0
Family	19	45.2
Peers/friend	5	11.9
Health workers	3	7.1
Other	2	4.8
Total	42	100.0
How long have you been seeking orthodox medical treatment?
0-3	40	52.6
4-6	3	3.9
10-12	1	1.3
Above 12	15	19.7
Do not know	17	22.4
Total	76	100.0

Source: 2020 survey.