Speech disorders in preschool children in Republic of North Macedonia – cross sectional study

Abstract Background Speech communication is a complex process based on the function of the central nervous system, and also on speech mechanisms conditioned and controlled by auditory perception, verbal memory, intellectual activity and peripheral speech apparatus. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of the most common phonological articulation disorders in preschool children, from 4-6 years old. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted during 2018 year on a representative sample of 550 preschool children aged 4 - 6 years, who attend preschool institutions-kindergartens in the city of Skopje. The study used standardized articulation tests: the Global Articulation Test (GAT) and the Triple Test (vocals, plasia, africative, fricative, nasal, and lateral), and a questionnaire filled out by a social worker at the kindergarten for socioeconomic status and the child's health condition. Results Using GAT, we found that 260 (47.3%) children didn't have a phonological articulation disorders, and 290 (52.7%) had disorders. The analysis of gender-based data showed a higher percentage of speech disorders in 57% of boys and 46.9% of girls. The highest percentage of speech disorder is sigmatism with 24.5% in boys and 20.4% in girls, rhotachism was found in 17.8% in boys and 16.5% in girls. Lambdacism with 8.3% was found in boys and 4.2% in girls. A mixed form (sigmatism, rotacism, and lambdacism) was also found in 2.4% of boys and 3.5% of girls. Conclusions The prevalence of phonological articulation disorders in preschool children is 52.7%, 57.9% in boys and 46.9% in girls, or every second child in kindergarden at age 4-6 years has speech disorder. These findings indicate that the treatment of speech disorders should be started in appropriate services as soon as possible, because early detection and treatment of speech disorders enable to child normal intellectual development. Key messages Speech disorders are important public health issue because these children will require in some cases emotional and behavioral support, not only speech-related intervention. The treatment of speech disorders should be started in appropriate services because early detection and treatment of speech disorders gives the child more confidence to build his intellect.

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Prevalence of Phonological Articulation Disorders in Preschool Children in the City of Skopje

PRILOZI ◽

10.2478/prilozi-2020-0043 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 41 (3) ◽

pp. 31-37

Author(s):

Evgenija Grigorova ◽

Gordana Ristovska ◽

Nada Pop Jordanova

Keyword(s):

Preschool Children ◽

Verbal Memory ◽

Speech Disorders ◽

Speech Disorder ◽

Educational Process ◽

Speech Communication ◽

Intellectual Activity ◽

Preschool Period ◽

Articulation Disorders ◽

The City

AbstractIntroduction: Speech communication is a complex process based on the function of the central nervous system, and also on the speech mechanisms conditioned and controlled by auditory perception, verbal memory, intellectual activity and peripheral speech apparatus.The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of the most common phonological articulation disorders in preschool children, from 4-6 years old.Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted during 2018, on a representative sample of 550 preschool children aged 4 - 6 years, who attend preschool institutions-kindergartens in the city of Skopje. The study used standardized articulation tests: The Global Articulation Test (GAT) and the Triple Test (vocals, plasia, affricative, fricative, nasal, and lateral), and a questionnaire filled out by a social worker at the kindergarten about the socioeconomic status and the child’s health condition.Results: Using GAT, we found that 260 (47.3%) children didn’t manifest any phonological articulation disorders, but 290 (52.7%) had disorders. The analysis of gender-based data showed a higher percentage of speech disorders in 57% of boys and 46.9% of girls. The highest percentage of speech disorder is sigmatism with 24.5% in boys and 20.4% in girls, rhotacismus was found in 17.8% in boys and 16.5% in girls. Lambdacism with 8.3% was found in boys and 4.2% in girls. A mixed form (sigmatism, rotacism, and lambdacism) was also found in 2.4% of boys and 3.5% of girls.Conclusions: The calculated prevalence of phonological articulation disorders in preschool children aged 4-6 years is 52.7%, (57.9% in boys and 46.9% in girls), or every second child in kindergarten has some form of speech disorder. These findings indicate that the treatment of speech disorders should begin in the appropriate services as soon as possible, because the early detection and treatment of speech disorders enable child’s normal intellectual development. The treatment should be started in the preschool period, to allow the start of the educational process without any speech problems.

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Malocclusion traits and sucking habits in preschool children: a cross-sectional study

Rio de Janeiro Dental Journal (Revista Científica do CRO-RJ) ◽

10.29327/24816.3.3-12 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 3 (3) ◽

pp. 67-74

Author(s):

Carla MASSIGNAN ◽

Júlia Gonçalves Dos SANTOS ◽

Marcos XIMENES ◽

Mariane CARDOSO ◽

Michele BOLAN

Keyword(s):

Preschool Children ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional

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First Prospective Cross-Sectional Study on the Impact of Immigration Background and Education in Early Detection of Breast Cancer

Breast Care ◽

10.1159/000511654 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 1-7

Author(s):

Elna Kuehnle ◽

Wulf Siggelkow ◽

Kristina Luebbe ◽

Iris Schrader ◽

Karl-Heinz Noeding ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Breast Cancer ◽

Early Detection ◽

First Generation ◽

Participation Rate ◽

Educational Status ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

First Generation Immigrants ◽

Cancer Early Detection

Background: Although immigrant health is an important issue in national health policy, there is a serious shortage of data in many countries. Most studies lack information on educational status, which is a major limitation. This prospective cross-sectional study analyzed a real-world breast cancer population on the influence of immigration background and educational status on participation in breast cancer early detection programs in the federal state of Lower Saxony, Germany. Methods: Data collection was conducted from 2012 to 2016 in six certified breast cancer centers using a standardized questionnaire for patients’ interview and tumor-specific data from the patients’ medical records. Results: 2,145/3,047 primary breast cancer cases were analyzed. 17.5% of our patients had a history of immigration, including n = 202 first-generation immigrants and n = 168 second-generation immigrants. Most of them were citizens of EU27 member states. No significant difference was seen in age, tumor stage, histology, grading, Ki-67, Her2/neu-status, and hormone receptor status compared to the native cohort. 100% participation rate in the breast cancer early detection programs were seen in patients with no school graduation. With regards to the national mammography screening program, participation decreased significantly with educational status (p = 0.0003). Conclusions: No tumor biological differences were seen between immigrants and German natives. In first-generation immigrants, early detection programs were well accepted despite sociocultural and language differences. Participation rate decreased significantly with higher education levels irrespective of country of origin. Immigration background does not have a negative effect on the participation in breast cancer screening. This mainly relates to immigrants from EU27 member states.

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Prostate cancer awareness and attitude toward early detection among male soldiers in Ghana: a cross-sectional study

African Journal of Urology ◽

10.1186/s12301-019-0004-3 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 25 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Juliana Gyasi Necku ◽

Emmanuel Anongeba Anaba ◽

Aaron Asibi Abuosi

Keyword(s):

Prostate Cancer ◽

Early Detection ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Health Interventions ◽

Effective Management ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cancer Awareness ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Knowledge And Attitudes ◽

Positive Attitudes

Abstract Background Prostate cancer (PC) is the leading cause of cancer deaths among men in Ghana. This poses a public health threat, especially among the Ghana Armed Force (GAF) where the majority are males. This study aimed to assess male soldiers’ awareness, knowledge and attitudes toward early detection of prostate cancer. Results It was found that 58.3% of the soldiers were less aware of PC and 76.0% had low or neutral knowledge regarding risk factors and symptoms of PC. The soldiers had positive attitudes toward early detection but had low intentions of getting tested. Awareness was significantly associated with education, rank, haven received PC information from a health worker and being knowledgeable of signs of PC. Conclusion We recommend that management of the GAF should liaise with the Ministry of Health to sensitize and educate soldiers on prostate cancer, and if possible, organize periodic screening activities for the soldiers to aid in early detection and effective management of the disease. The findings of this study provide valuable information for health interventions in Ghana.

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Association between socioeconomic status and dental caries among Chinese preschool children: a cross-sectional national study

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2020-042908 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (5) ◽

pp. e042908

Author(s):

Tingting Zhang ◽

Jialan Hong ◽

Xueting Yu ◽

Qiulin Liu ◽

Andi Li ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Socioeconomic Status ◽

Preschool Children ◽

Oral Health ◽

Dental Caries ◽

Household Income ◽

Parental Education ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Index Of Inequality

ObjectivesSocioeconomic inequalities in oral health are often neglected in oral health promotion. This cross-sectional study assessed the association between dental caries and socioeconomic status (SES) among preschool children in China.DesignCross-sectional study.SettingData from the Fourth National Oral Health Survey of China (2015), comprising of 40 360 children aged 3–5 years was used.MethodsDental caries indicators including prevalence of dental caries, dental pain experience and number of decayed, missing and filling teeth (dmft). SES indicators included parental education and household income. The associations between SES and dental caries were analysed by using negative binomial regression or Poisson regression models according to data distribution. Relative and absolute inequalities in dental caries were quantified by using the Relative Index of Inequality (RII) and Slope Index of Inequality (SII), respectively.ResultsThere were significant associations between SES and prevalence of dental caries and dmft (p<0.001). Children from lower educated (RII 1.36, 95% CI 1.3 to 1.43; SII 0.97, 95% CI 0.81 to 1.13) and lower household income (RII 1.17, 95% CI 1.11 to 1.24; SII 0.55, 95% CI 0.35 to 0.75) families had higher dmft than those from well-educated and most affluent families. Relative and absolute inequalities in dental caries were larger in urban areas by household income, and in rural areas by parental education.ConclusionsAssociation between dental caries and SES was demonstrated and socioeconomic inequalities in dental caries existed among Chinese preschool children.

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Pre-schoolers’ tooth brushing behaviour and association with their oral health: a cross sectional study

BMC Oral Health ◽

10.1186/s12903-021-01643-8 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Iqra Muhammad Khan ◽

Shani Ann Mani ◽

Jennifer Geraldine Doss ◽

Mahmoud Danaee ◽

Lydia Yi Li Kong

Keyword(s):

Preschool Children ◽

Oral Health ◽

Dental Caries ◽

Parental Involvement ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Parental Supervision ◽

Gingival Index ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Plaque Score

Abstract Background Toothbrushing is an important yet neglected behaviour that affects the oral health of preschool children. Little is reported on parental supervision, an essential aspect of routine effective toothbrushing in this age group. The aim of this study was to evaluate pre-schoolers’ toothbrushing behaviour including parental involvement and its association with their oral health. Methods This was a cross-sectional study. A total of 92 preschool children (4–6 years) were invited to participate with their parents/guardians. Nine parameters of toothbrushing behaviour were assessed from parental responses (questionnaire) and observation of child and parents/guardians (video recording). Oral examination included recording plaque, gingival and dental caries indices. BORIS software was used to assess toothbrushing parameters and Smart PLS was used to perform association with a second-generation multivariate analysis to create models with and without confounding factors. Results Girls were slightly more (53%) than boys (47%). Children aged 4 years were slightly more in number (38%), followed by 6-year-olds and 5-year-olds. Nearly, 90% parents had tertiary education and 46% had more than 2 children. Differences were recorded in the reported and observed behaviour. Thirty-five percent parents/guardians reported using pea-size toothpaste amount but only 28% were observed. Forty percent reported to brush for 30 s–1 min, however 51% were observed to brush for 1–2 min. Half the children were observed to use fluoridated toothpaste (F < 1000 ppm) under parental supervision (11%). The mean (SD) plaque score reduction after toothbrushing was 10.80 (2.46), mean pre-brushing plaque score was 90.3 (10.2), mean gingival index was 0.89 (0.65) and mean dental caries status (ICDAS(1–6)) was 18.87 (12.39). Toothbrushing behaviour in terms of toothbrushing technique, duration, pattern and frequency, toothbrush type and grip type, toothpaste type and amount, post-brushing mouth rinsing and parental involvement contributed significantly to plaque score change (86%), dental caries status (73%), gingival index (66%) and pre-brushing plaque score (31%). The significant confounding variables had a small influence on oral health of preschool children. Conclusions Preschool children’s toothbrushing behaviour was inadequate while their oral health was poor, with a significant association between the two parameters.

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Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons exposures and telomere length: A cross-sectional study on preschool children

Environmental Research ◽

10.1016/j.envres.2021.110757 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 195 ◽

pp. 110757

Author(s):

Abolfazl Adli ◽

Seyed Mostafa Hosseini ◽

Moslem Lari Najafi ◽

Maryam Behmanesh ◽

Elahe Ghezi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons ◽

Preschool Children ◽

Telomere Length ◽

Aromatic Hydrocarbons ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Polycyclic Aromatic

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Recurrent wheeze and its relationship with lung function and airway inflammation in preschool children: a cross-sectional study in South Korea

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2017-018010 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 7 (10) ◽

pp. e018010 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Ji Eun Soh ◽

Kyung-Moon Kim ◽

Ji-Won Kwon ◽

Hyung Young Kim ◽

Ju-Hee Seo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Preschool Children ◽

Lung Function ◽

Airway Inflammation ◽

Allergic Diseases ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Secondary Outcome ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Airway Function ◽

Recurrent Wheeze

BackgroundRelationship between recurrent wheeze and airway function and inflammation in preschool children is not fully known.ObjectiveTo investigate the relationship between recurrent wheeze and airway inflammation, lung function, airway hyper-reactivity (AHR) and atopy in preschool children.DesignObservational study, comparing forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC) and mid-forced expiratory flow (FEF25%–75%), dose–response slope (DRS), exhaled nitric oxide (eNO) and atopic sensitisation between children with recurrent wheeze and those without.SettingPopulation-based, cross-sectional study in Seoul and the Gyeonggi province of Korea conducted as a government-funded programme to perform standardised measurement of the prevalence of allergic diseases, and related factors, in preschool children.Participants900 children aged 4–6 years.Primary and secondary outcome measureseNO, FEV1/FVC, FEF25%–75%, DRS, atopic sensitisation and allergic diseases.MethodsChildren completed the modified International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood questionnaire and underwent eNO assessments, spirometry, methacholine bronchial provocation tests and skin prick tests. Recurrent wheeze was defined as having a lifetime wheeze of more than three episodes, based on the questionnaire. The frequency of hospitalisation and emergency room visits was also obtained by means of the questionnaire. ‘Current’ wheeze was defined as having symptoms or treatments within the past 12 months.ResultsThe prevalence of recurrent wheeze was 13.4%. Children with recurrent wheeze showed a higher prevalence of lifetime or current allergic rhinitis (p=0.01 and p=0.002, respectively) and lifetime atopic dermatitis (p=0.007). Children with recurrent wheeze showed lower FEV1/FVC (p=0.033) and FEF25%–75%(p=0.004), and higher eNO levels (p=0.013) than those without recurrent wheeze. However, the DRS, prevalence of atopic sensitisation and serum IgE levels were not significantly different between the two groups.ConclusionsRecurrent wheeze in preschool children may be associated with airway inflammation and diminished airway function, but not with AHR or atopy.

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Association between objectively measured body composition, sleep parameters and physical activity in preschool children: a cross-sectional study

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2020-042669 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

pp. e042669

Author(s):

Justyna Wyszyńska ◽

Piotr Matłosz ◽

Muhammad Asif ◽

Agnieszka Szybisty ◽

Paweł Lenik ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Body Composition ◽

Preschool Children ◽

Muscle Mass ◽

Sleep Duration ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Sleep Parameters ◽

Objectively Measured

ObjectiveAssociations between self-reported sleep duration and obesity indices in children are well recognised; however, there are no studies on associations between objectively measured other sleep parameters and physical activity with body composition in preschoolers. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the associations between sleep parameters and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) with body composition indices in preschoolers using objective measures.DesignA cross-sectional study.ParticipantsThe study group consisted of 676 children aged 5–6 years, who were enrolled in kindergartens in the 2017/2018 school year.Outcome measuresSleep parameters and MVPA were measured using accelerometers for 7 days. Bioelectrical impedance analysis was used to estimate body composition.ResultsSleep duration and sleep efficiency were inversely associated with body fat percentage (BFP) (β=−0.013 and β from –0.311 to −0.359, respectively) and body mass index (BMI) (β from −0.005 to −0.006 and from −0.105 to –0.121, respectively), and directly associated with fat-free mass (FFM) (β from 0.010 to 0.011 and from 0.245 to 0.271, respectively) and muscle mass (β from 0.012 to 0.012 and from 0.277 to 0.307, respectively) in unadjusted and adjusted models. BFP was inversely associated with MVPA and positively associated with number of awakenings and sleep periods. Number of sleep periods was inversely associated with FFM, and positively with BMI and muscle mass. Correlation matrix indicated significant correlation between BFP, FFM and muscle mass with sleep duration, sleep efficiency, number of sleep periods and MVPA.ConclusionsPeriodic assessment of sleep parameters and MVPA in relation to body composition in preschool children may be considered, especially in those who are at risk for obesity.

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The view of parents and teachers about the occurrence of deleterious oral habits in a group of preschool children

Revista CEFAC ◽

10.1590/1982-0216/201921214418 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 21 (2) ◽

Author(s):

Denise Maria Zaratini Fernandes ◽

Maria Cecília Marconi Pinheiro Lima

Keyword(s):

Preschool Children ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Chi Square ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Present Sample ◽

Oral Habits ◽

Stomatognathic System ◽

Chi Square Test ◽

Self Administered Questionnaire

ABSTRACT Objective: to compare the parents and teachers views about the occurrence of deleterious oral habits in preschool children. Methods: a cross - sectional study with a quantitative analysis. Parents and teachers answered a self-administered questionnaire regarding the deleterious habits of preschool children and signed the Informed Consent Term. At the end, 221questionaries were included. The data were submitted to Chi-square test, Fisher exact and McNemar tests. Results: according to the parents, the most frequent habit was the bottle with 52.04%, followed by the pacifier with 24.09%. According to the teachers, the pacifier was the most frequent one, accounting for 20.36% of cases, followed by the use of bottle (7.69%). In the present sample, 90.95% of the children were breastfed. When related to oral habits, it was observed that the longer the breastfeeding time, the lower the use of pacifiers and bottles. By comparing the questionnaires, it was verified that the parents noticed, more frequently, the oral habits than did the teachers. Conclusion: in the group studied, the parents reported more the presence of deleterious oral habits than did the teachers. It is important that parents, and especially teachers, have information about the harm caused by the prolonged presence of such habits, so that they can encourage their interruption, thus, avoiding possible damages to the stomatognathic system and the performance of orofacial functions.

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