Tecleab Okubai Gebregiorgis
◽
Alhassen Saleh Humed
◽
Beraki Mael Tekle
◽
Bereket Tesfamichael Ghebremedhin
◽
Letebrhan Habtemariam Haile
Abstract
Background: The practice of keeping the mouth clean to prevent common oral health diseases is necessary, especially in children who live in developing countries. Thisstudyaims to assess middle school students’ oral hygiene practice (OHP)Status and its association with socio-demographic factors among children in low- income countries in Asmara, Eritrea.Methods: Descriptivecross-sectionalstudy wasconducted to determine the status ofOHPamongMiddle school studentsage of 12-15years. Data was collected from all participants (N=572) through face -to- face interview using a pretested and semi structured questionnaire. Pearson’s chi-square test and multiple binary logistic regressions were usedto analyze the whole data.Results: Overall, majority (70%) of middle school children were having poor OHP.From the total respondents, only 201 (35.2%) of the middleschool children cleaned their teeth two times or more a day,16(3.1%) used dental floss for dental cleaning and 314(54.9%) brushed their teeth after meals.The most utilized oral hygiene tools were toothbrush 554.8(97%), chewstick411.3(71.9%), and toothpick 192 (33.6%).Most of the participants 554(97.4%) used toothpaste during tooth cleaning, but 509 (89%) of the children were unaware about the presence of fluoride in their toothpaste.From the children, 196 (34.4%) changed their brush every three months,and only 72 (12.6%) applied circular strokes while brushing their tooth. The most frequently consumed sugar foods and drinks were bread and biscuits, sugar containing chewing gum and tea cited as 536(93.7%), 256(54.8%) and 486(85%) of the respondents respectively.Around half (52%) of the respondents didn’t cleaning their tongue at all. Only 112 (19.5%) visited a dentist during the past twelve months. OHP score was significantly different for gender and school type (P<0.05).Females children were having better OHP than males AOR=0.636 (0.441 – 0.918, P=0.012).Moreover, Arbate Asmara was less likely to have poor OHP than Bana AOR=0.426 (0.197 – 0.92, P=0.030).Conclusions: This study found that,majority of the children was having poor OHP. Sex and school ofmiddle school children in low income countries had a significantcorrelation with OHP. The results of this study indicatetheneed of a Comprehensive oral hygiene practiceeducation for the children and their parents to achieve good oral hygiene in the middle school.
Oral hygiene practices among middle-school students in 44 low- and middle-income countries
