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Background <p>Halitosis, commonly known as bad breath, is an oral health condition characterized by a persistent, unpleasant odor originating from the oral cavity. It is a common oral condition reported to affect between 20% and 50% of the global population and can have a substantial impact on a person’s social, psychological, and emotional well-being. The aim of this study was therefore to assess the knowledge, perception, and prevalence of halitosis among students in tertiary institutions in Lagos State, Nigeria.</p> Objective <p>To determine the knowledge, perception, and prevalence of halitosis among tertiary institution students in Lagos State.</p> Methods <p>A cross-sectional study of three hundred and eighty-one students from three tertiary institutions in Lagos State, University of Lagos (UNILAG), Lagos State University (LASU), and Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH). Data collection utilized a semi-structured questionnaire and diagnostic assessment using the wrist-lick test. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS version 25.0. Ethical approval was obtained from the Health Research Ethics Committee, Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Idi-Araba, Lagos, Nigeria with the assigned number as ADM/DSCST/HREC/APP/5048.</p> Results <p>The majority of the respondents were female (54.1%), single (98%), Christian (74%) and of the Yoruba tribe (78%). The mean age of the respondents was 21.49 <b>±</b> 3.23 years. Most students (66.1%) demonstrated poor knowledge of halitosis while 62.2% had a positive perception of it. The diagnostic assessment indicated that 28.1% of all respondents perceived a slightly noticeable to strong odor suggestive of halitosis. This included 28.2% of students from UNILAG, 27.0% from LASU, and 33.3% from YABATECH.</p> Conclusion <p>The prevalence of halitosis among the students in the selected tertiary institutions was moderate (28.1%). Although their perception was generally positive, the students demonstrated poor knowledge of halitosis and unsatisfactory preventive practices.</p>

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Knowledge, perception, prevalence, and practices regarding halitosis among students in tertiary institutions in Lagos state

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  • 发表日期：

    2025年10月6日

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  • Eniola O. Aina,
  • Arinola E. Joda,
  • Kehinde A. Umeizudike

摘要

Background

Halitosis, commonly known as bad breath, is an oral health condition characterized by a persistent, unpleasant odor originating from the oral cavity. It is a common oral condition reported to affect between 20% and 50% of the global population and can have a substantial impact on a person’s social, psychological, and emotional well-being. The aim of this study was therefore to assess the knowledge, perception, and prevalence of halitosis among students in tertiary institutions in Lagos State, Nigeria.

Objective

To determine the knowledge, perception, and prevalence of halitosis among tertiary institution students in Lagos State.

Methods

A cross-sectional study of three hundred and eighty-one students from three tertiary institutions in Lagos State, University of Lagos (UNILAG), Lagos State University (LASU), and Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH). Data collection utilized a semi-structured questionnaire and diagnostic assessment using the wrist-lick test. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS version 25.0. Ethical approval was obtained from the Health Research Ethics Committee, Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Idi-Araba, Lagos, Nigeria with the assigned number as ADM/DSCST/HREC/APP/5048.

Results

The majority of the respondents were female (54.1%), single (98%), Christian (74%) and of the Yoruba tribe (78%). The mean age of the respondents was 21.49 ± 3.23 years. Most students (66.1%) demonstrated poor knowledge of halitosis while 62.2% had a positive perception of it. The diagnostic assessment indicated that 28.1% of all respondents perceived a slightly noticeable to strong odor suggestive of halitosis. This included 28.2% of students from UNILAG, 27.0% from LASU, and 33.3% from YABATECH.

Conclusion

The prevalence of halitosis among the students in the selected tertiary institutions was moderate (28.1%). Although their perception was generally positive, the students demonstrated poor knowledge of halitosis and unsatisfactory preventive practices.