Objectives: To study whether a Kiswahili version of the OIDP inventory was valid and reliable for use in a population of older adults in urban and rural areas and to assess the area specific prevalence, intensity and perceived causes of OIDP in this population. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in Pwani region and in Dar es Salaam in 2004/2005. A two-stage stratified cluster sample design was utilized. Information became available for 511 urban and 520 rural subjects (mean age 62.9 years) who completed an oral examination and personal interviews. Results: The Kiswahili version of the weighted OIDP inventory preserved the overall concept of the English version. Chronbachs' alpha was 0.83 and 0.90 in urban and rural areas. The OIDP inventory varied systematically and in the expected direction with clinical and self reported oral health measures. A total of 51.2% urban and 62.1% rural subjects confirmed at least one oral impact. Eating was the performance reported most frequently both in the urban (42.5%) and rural (55.1%) area. Only 12% in urban and 28% in rural had OIDP scores above 10 and most subjects with impacts had very little, little and moderate intensity of impacts. The most frequently reported causes of impacts were toothache and loose teeth. Conclusion: The Kiswahili OIDP inventory had acceptable psychometrical properties among free-living older adults in Tanzania. The impacts affecting their performances were relatively common but not very severe. The more common and severe impacts affected rural people more than their urban counterparts.

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