ASSESSING THE LEVEL OF KNOWLEDGE AND ATTITUDE OF MOTHERS ON ORAL HEALTH IN CHILDREN AGED 0-6 YEARS IN KERMAN (IRAN)

Authors: Faezeh HAMZEH, Maryam Alsadat HASHEMIPOUR2, Azar Shamsaldin MOGHADAM, Mehrnaz KARIMI -AFSHAR

Abstract:

Introduction: Mothers’ knowledge and attitudes play an important role in children oral health. The aim of the present study was to determine the knowledge and attitude of mothers about oral health of 0-6 year old children in Kerman (Iran).Materials and methods: This cross-sectional study was performed on 800 mothers with children aged 0-6 years, selected from five health and treatment centers in three areas of Kerman city. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire in three sections. The first section contained demographic details and self reports of oral health behavior, the second contained knowledge  and  the third one – the attitude about oral health of children. The T test, ANOVA and linear regression analyses served for statistical analysis. p values ≤ .05 indicated statistically significant differences.Results and discussion: The mean age of mothers was 30.5 ±5.6 years and that of children was 36.8 ± 25.4 months. The level of knowledge and attitude of employed mothers, compared to housewives, was significantly higher. The results revealed a significant relationship between knowledge and attitude, and level of education of mothers. The level of knowledge of 33.7% of mothers about children’s oral health was good, while that of 17.1% of them was moderate.Conclusions: According to the results of the present study, most of the mothers did not have good knowledge, so that educational planning in terms of oral health in their children is recommended.

Keywords:
  • Child
  • mother
  • oral health attitude
  • ORAL HEALTH BEHAVIOR.
  • oral health knowledge