scholarly journals Level of Oral Hygiene Practices and its Association with Socio-Demographyic Characters Among Middle School Students in Low Income Countries

Author(s):  
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.

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 54-61
Author(s):  
Necip Demirci ◽  
Refika Yilmaz ◽  
Ayda Karaca

The aim of the study was to analyze step counts of middle school students in structured and unstructured physical education classes (PE) according to age, gender, and school type. Data were collected on a sample of 74 students, 40 7th and 34 8th grade students recruited from private and public middle schools. Omron HJ-112 pedometers were used in this study to obtain step counts. There were statistically significant differences between boys and girls in the step counts in both structured and unstructured PE. A significant difference was observed between school types in step counts during structured PE in both genders, while no significant difference was found for unstructured PE. Significant difference was found between step counts of only boys of different grades in unstructured PE. Boys made more steps than girls both in structured and unstructured PE. In structured PE, 7th grade boys reached a higher number of steps than 8th grade boys.


Partner Abuse ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 383-402 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michele Cascardi ◽  
Sarah Avery-Leaf

Emerging research on dating aggression in early adolescence suggests that it occurs as early as 6th grade. However, our understanding of dating aggression during this developmental phase remains limited. The primary purpose of the current study was to examine gender differences in various potentially harmful dating behaviors, including physical and psychological dating aggression and victimization as well as jealous, controlling, and monitoring behaviors in a low-income, urban sample of middle school students (N = 3,174). Approximately 40% of youth reported physical dating aggression as a perpetrator or victim. Girls endorsed all forms of physical aggression at a higher rate than boys with one exception: physical restraint. Regarding physical dating victimization, boys reported higher rates of having been slapped; scratched; or kicked, bit, or hit than did girls. There were no statistically significant gender differences in the frequency of injury to self (6% of boys, 2% of girls) or partner (4% of boys and 5% of girls injured a partner). Although the overall injury rate was low, it was not inconsequential. Regarding other potentially harmful behaviors, girls and boys reported jealous accusations, monitoring and spiteful verbal and nonverbal retaliation with the highest frequency. Although, the vast majority of dating aggression was characterized as “just playing around,” many youth demanded apologies and a substantial minority broke up as a result of dating aggression. Of note, boys were significantly more likely to “do nothing” in response to dating aggression compared to girls. Results highlight the complex, variable meaning of aggression, jealousy, and control in early adolescent dating relationships.


2007 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. 21-31 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shaunna Carter ◽  
Cindy Wolff ◽  
Jean Schuldberg ◽  
Keiko Goto

The purpose of this cross-sectional, descriptive study was to examine perceived barriers to the adoption of recommended dietary and physical activity behaviors in low income ethnically diverse middle school students. Respondents completed surveys in sixth and eighth grade (n=289): 37% (n=100) of whom were Hmong, 34% (n=92) White, and 18% (n=57) Non-Asian, Non-White (NANW). Chi square and ANOVA were used to test the hypothesis that there were significant differences in perceived barriers for the adoption of recommended dietary and physical activity behaviors among ethnic groups. At 46%, significantly more Hmong versus White (12%) and NANW (16%) students indicated that cost was a significant barrier to fruit and vegetable availability at home (p=.001). In addition, 51% of Hmong students versus 33% of White and 34% of NANW students indicated that peer pressure was a barrier to the consumption of fruits and vegetables (p=.002). At 33%, significantly fewer Hmong students reported meeting the guidelines for physical activity compared to White students (52%, p=.016). Furthermore, Hmong students believed that being physically active every day was less important to their family members compared to non-Hmong students (p=.004). These results indicate that there is a need for culturally specific nutrition education and physical activity promotion with a particular focus on reducing obstacles to the adoption of recommended dietary patterns and physical activity for Hmong middle school students.


2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (SPL3) ◽  
pp. 866-869
Author(s):  
Nithyanandham Masilamani ◽  
Dhanraj Ganapathy

Consumption of cigarettes and similar tobacco items and tobacco smoking are the world's largest common preventable of death. Multiple studies have observed that the overall life expectancy of a person dying from tobacco-related illnesses is 15 years quicker than those dying from natural deaths. Hence this study was done to assess the awareness on harmful effects of smoking in middle school children. This was a questionnaire-based cross-sectional type of study comprising 100 middle schools aged between 10-15 years in Chennai. A self-administered questionnaire containing 10 questions eliciting information on the awareness of the harmful effects of smoking among middle school students were circulated. The collected responses were tabulated and analysed.95% of students are not smokers and 5% smoke to get pleasure. 94% of students are not aware that smoking causes cancer and it is injurious to health. 68% feel the parental influence and 32% feel peer influence to be the reasons for smoking. 86% were not aware of smoking cessation therapy. The results of this study illustrate the need to increase understanding of the health consequences of smoking in middle school students. In order to promote quitting, especially in rural areas, where rates of education and health literacy are lower and where health services are less available, educational programs are an essential way to increase awareness.


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