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Good oral health is an integral part of overall child health. However, immunodeficiency states like those associated with the presence of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) compromise oral health and salivary bacterial composition, leading to adverse oral conditions. Nigeria has 1.9 million people living with HIV, and 0.2% of incident HIV infections occur among children below 15 years. This study aims to determine through a randomized controlled study, the effect of an educational intervention on the oral health status and oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) of children living with HIV presenting to five pediatric HIV clinics in Kano, Nigeria. This 2-arm randomized controlled study will be conducted in five pediatric HIV outpatient clinics in Kano State, Nigeria over a period of 6 months. Eligible participants will include 172 HIV-positive children aged 8–16 years (able to self-implement the oral health intervention with minimal supervision from the caregivers). The evaluation and oral health assessment will be carried out by five examiners who will be trained and calibrated. Our findings will help inform policies to improve the oral health and OHRQoL of HIV-positive Nigerian children and inform the need to integrate oral health care services into HIV programs in similar settings. ClinicalTrails.gov ID: National Clinical Trial (NCT) NCT05540171. Registered on 12th September 2022. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Early childhood caries (ECC) is a significant oral health issue affecting children under six years old. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and distribution of ECC in Nigeria through a systematic review and meta-analysis. Methods: A systematic search was conducted across multiple databases for studies on ECC prevalence in Nigeria. The Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) checklist was used to assess study quality. A random-effects model was employed to calculate pooled prevalence estimates and mean dmft scores. Subgroup analyses and meta-regression were performed to explore sources of heterogeneity. Results: Twenty-three studies met the inclusion criteria, comprising 7,362 participants. The pooled ECC prevalence in Nigeria was 17% (95% CI 11–24%), with significant heterogeneity (I2 = 97%). Subgroup analyses revealed variations across geopolitical zones and study settings. The pooled mean dmft score was 0.44 (95% CI 0.24–0.74). Age group and gender showed minimal impact on ECC prevalence. Conclusion: With a 17% prevalence rate, ECC remains a significant public health concern in Nigeria. The study highlights the need for targeted interventions, standardized national surveys, and further research into region-specific risk factors to address ECC effectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]