KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND MANAGEMENT PRACTICES OF MOTHERS OF UNDER-TWO DURING TEETHING IN IBADAN NORTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OYO STATE

Abstract

Teething medically known as Odontiasis is the eruption of primary teeth in infancy. The assumption of a link between common symptoms such as febrile illness, diarrhea and eruption of primary teeth has been established over many centuries. One of the greatest challenges confronting the government in Nigeria today is the need to reduce infant and child morbidity and mortality in order to achieve the sustainable development goal 2030. Hence, this study was designed to determine the knowledge, attitude and management practices of mothers during teething in Ibadan North Local Government Area, Oyo state, Nigeria. The study was a community-based descriptive cross-sectional research. With 225 mothers of under-two children in IBNLGA, Oyo State been selected using multistage sampling technique. A pre-tested Interviewer administered questionnaire consisting of respondent’s Socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge and attitude towards teething, cultural beliefs and management practices of mothers during the teething was used. Four Focus Group discussions sessions was used to complement quantitative instrument. Quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics with the aid of SPSS version 21 and qualitative data was analyzed using thematic approach, P value at 0.05. An 11-point knowledge scale was used to assess respondents’ level of knowledge categorized as poor (0-3), fair (4-7) and good (8-11). A 9-point practice scale was used to assess respondents practice, poor (0-2), fair (3-5) and good (6-9). Mean age of mothers was 28.8±5.9; almost all (93.3%) were Yoruba, married (93.8%) and 48.9% completed secondary school education. Petty traders (46.7%). Above half (58.2) had 1-2 children. Information about teething were gotten from Parents (72.0%), Health provider/Clinic (54.5%) and Grandparents (48.9%). Signs and symptoms reported were fever (93.8%), diarrhea (76.4%), restlessness (77.8%), loss of appetite (84.9%), gingival swelling (83.9%), cough (68.4%), vomiting (61.8%), running nose (81.3%) and convulsion (16.4%). Culturally, 78.7% of respondents saw diarrhea as a sign of teething. Home remedies (e.g herbs, Over the Counter Drugs) were used by 97.3% of respondents. Most respondent (67.1%) prefers home based remedies because it works better. Fever during teething was managed by teething syrup (59.1%), Paracetamol (49.3%), tepid sponging (8.0%), herbal medication (7.1%) and (1.8%) visit a physician. Slightly above half (52.0%) managed diarrhea with Oral Rehydration Therapy and 12.4% opted for consulting a physician. However, (20.0%) said nothing should be used for the child. Of all, (12.4%), (84.4%)and (3.1%) had poor, fair and good knowledge about teething respectively. Majority (75.4%) had poor practice. When it comes to management of a child during teething. Significant association was found between knowledge of respondents and parity. Occupation of Respondents had significant influence on the use of home remedies. Respondents had fair knowledge with their source of information from parents, however knowing about teething did not translate to good management practice. This study also revealed poor management practice by mothers during teething. There is great need to adequately educate parents, caregivers and the general public to help correct the false beliefs attributed to teething and foster prompt health seeking behavior.