Perceived Impact of Halitosis on Individual's Social life and Marital Relationship in Qassim Province, KSA

Abstract

Objectives: To assess self-perception of halitosis, oral hygiene practices and the impact of bad breath on individual's social life and marital relationship among male and female visitors of commercial malls in Qassim Province, KSA. Materials and Methods: Self-administered anonymous questionnaire was administered to the visitors of two grand commercial malls in the city of Buraidah in Qassim. The questionnaire was completed by 2490 subjects. Data were subjected to descriptive statistics and chi-square tests, as well as regression analysis. Results: More than 69.00% and 53.00% of males and females had coatings on their tongue. About 67.00% and 59.00% of males and females self-perceived that they had bad breath. Social embarrassment due to bad breath was sensed by 74.81% and 66.95% of males and females. About 70.00% and 68.51% of males and females emphasized that their spouses experiencing bad breath. The vast majority of females asserted that there is impact of bad breath on the marital relationship. Sag relationship between the couple was reported by 53.61% of the participants, while 36.52% of the studied group were tolerating from spacing and 9.87% became divorced. Conclusion: Halitosis is an annoying social problem causing some social difficulties. An impact of bad breath on the marital relationship was found in the form of sagging or spacing in the relation between partners. (Nabila Ahmed Sedky. Perceived Impact of Halitosis on Individual's Social life and Marital Relationship in Qassim Province, KSA. J Am Sci 2015;11(3):187-196). (ISSN: 1545-1003). http://www.jofamericanscience.org . 23