KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND PRACTICES OF MOTHERS ON ORAL HYGIENE OF BIOLOGICAL CHILDREN (1- 5 YEARS) IN SABO COMMUNITY, IBADAN, OYO STATE

Abstract

Dental caries is one of the most common childhood dental diseases, if left untreated can lead to significant acute and chronic conditions. Although, young children’s oral health maintenance and outcomes are influenced by their parent’s knowledge and beliefs, which affect oral hygiene and healthy eating habits, little information exist on this phenomenon in Oyo State. This study was designed to investigate the knowledge, attitude and practices of mothers on oral hygiene of their biological children (1-5 years) in Sabo community, Ibadan, Oyo State. A descriptive cross sectional survey was conducted using a 3- stage sampling technique to select areas, houses and the 318 respondents. A validated semi-structured interviewer-administered questionnaire was used for data collection consisting questions on socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge measured on 14-point scale, attitude measured on 52-point scale and practice measured on 20-point scale. Knowledge score of<6, ≥ 6 - < 8 and ≥ 8 was rated poor, fair and good respectively. Attitude score of > 26 was rated positive. Practice score of 50th-60th percentile was rated good, 70th & 80th percentile as very good and 90th percentile as excellent. The data collected was carefully entered into the statistical package for social sciences version 21 and analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Respondents mean age was 28.6 ± 5.5 years. Majority (91.5%) were married, 82% were Hausas, 84.0% were Muslims and 35.2% respondents had completed secondary school. Moreover, 48.7% and 55% knew the food items that can lead to tooth decay and the role of fluoride in toothpaste respectively. Respondents’ over all knowledge on oral hygiene was good (60.9%) with a mean score of 8.5 ± 1.9. Respondents’ mean attitudinal score was 39.1 ± 6.6 with 75% having positive attitudinal disposition towards child oral hygiene. Respondent’s oral hygiene practice score for their children was 11.2 ± 3.06 with 56.1% having good practices, in this regard, 65.4% reportedly changed their child’s toothbrush every three months, 89.6% used toothpaste to clean child’s teeth, but 55% offered sweet and sugary products to their child. In addition, 40.3% reportedly brush child’s teeth twice daily and 79.9% stated that they never took their children to the dentist whenever there is problem with the teeth. Moreover, 82.7% never did dental flossing for their children in the last three months and 89.9% had not taken the Respondents’ level of education had no significant statistical influence on their knowledge of child oral hygiene (P = 0.996). There was a significant association between the respondents knowledge and practice of oral hygiene for their children (P = 0.00), Mothers’ who have good knowledge on child oral hygiene are 0.399 times more likely to have good practice of Oral hygiene. This study established that mothers’ knowledge influences their oral hygiene practices for their children. Community level programmes that can increase mothers’ knowledge on child oral hygiene and strengthen good oral health practice should be implemented by community leaders and stakeholders.