EFFECT OF MATERNAL KNOWLEDGE AND ATTITUDE ON THE ORAL HEALTH STATUS OF PRE-SCHOOL CHILDREN IN LAGOS STATE
EFFECT OF MATERNAL KNOWLEDGE AND ATTITUDE ON THE ORAL HEALTH STATUS OF PRE-SCHOOL CHILDREN IN LAGOS STATE
ABSTRACT
Dental caries affects 60-90% of children globally with the burden in both industrialized and less industrialized countries undergoing nutrition transition. Nutritional deprivation due to difficulty in eating a variety of foods because of pain from dental caries when chewing food translates into prolonged negative effects on physical growth, cognitive development, and overall academic performance. The aim was to assess the link between dental caries, dietary habits, and nutritional status of a 5-year-old school in Lagos. A cross-sectional survey design was used. Multi-stage systematic and simple random sampling procedures were employed in selecting three hundred and eighty-two (382) 5-year-old children and their parents/caregivers who participated in the study. The criteria proposed by WHO for oral health surveys were used to assess dental caries among 5-year-olds. Information on demographic socio-economic and oral health practices was gathered using structured questionnaires. Dietary intake was collected using a quantitative food frequency questionnaire and the nutritional status of the children was assessed using anthropometric measurements. ENA for SMART computer programs was used to analyze the anthropometric and dietary intake data, while Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) Version 21 (2014) analyzed the rest of the data. The relationship between nutritional status and dft was analyzed using Pearson’s with a statistical significance set at p < 0.05. Results showed that 39.3% of children had dental caries (mean dft of 1.55). Children from urban areas (228) had the highest mean dft of 1.83±1.37 while those from rural areas (154) had a mean dft score of 1.16±1.13. Nutrient requirements for protein, vitamin C, calcium, and phosphorus were met by the children but did not meet the requirements for energy, folate, vitamin A, and iron. Children from urban areas were higher overweight than rural children at 13.6% and 8.9% respectively. The prevalence of underweight was higher in rural areas at 10.7%, stunting at 14.6%, and wasting at 6.8%. Underweight, overweight, obesity, and wasting at (9.0%), (13.9%), (4.2%), and (6.7%) respectively had a significant relationship with dft. More children brushed their teeth (52.6%) with 16.5% brushing at least twice each day. Parents/caregivers had sufficient knowledge and a positive attitude towards oral health hygiene of the children where the techniques of brushing teeth and reduction in the rate of intake of cariogenic foods are not well implemented. In conclusion, the prevalence of dental caries is significantly higher among 5-year-old children in urban than rural areas. Parents displayed good knowledge and attitude towards oral health hygiene, however, they did not implement the right oral hygiene techniques. It is recommended that programs targeting the alleviation of malnutrition among children be modified to include dental caries mitigation in both rural and urban areas and that children should be fed nutrient-rich foods and cariogenic foods should be consumed occasionally.
DEFINITION OF OPERATION TERMS
| |
|
| Attitude |
This is a fairly lasting organization of conviction about an object, issue, or notion, which disposes one to reply in some special way (Shardra, & Shetty, 2008). |
| Caregiver |
Parents/guardians of 5-year-old children/participants in Eldoret
Municipality and Merewet Location |
| Cariogenic |
Producing or promoting the development of tooth decay |
| Cariostatic |
Delaying or limiting the development of dental caries |
| Charcoal |
A black residue that remains after burning wood used
traditionally to clean teeth (MoH, 2015) |
| Chewing stick |
This is a wooden stick from selected trees that has medicinal value used to clean teeth (Kiwanuka et al., 2004). |
| Dental caries |
A procedure of demineralization of the enamel leads to damage to the enamel and dentine (Fisher et al., 2012) |
| Diet |
Are food or drink an individual eats every day and the psychological and physical conditions associated with consumption |
| Dietary Intake |
Dietary intake refers to foods consumed daily by 5-year-old children |
| Enamel |
The hard calcified coating that covers the outside or crown of a tooth |
| Knowledge |
This is well-defined as the know-how and expertise developed |
by parents/caregivers of the 5-year-old children through
understanding or learning with the capacity to use it for prevention of dental caries (Sharda, & Shetty, 2008).
| Nutritional status |
The biological circumstance of a person comes from the stability regarding nutrient wants and ingestion and the capacity of the body to consume these nutrient substances (WHO,
2003). |
| Oral Health |
It is the state of being free from mouth and facial pain, oral and |
throat cancer, oral infection, sores, periodontal (gum) disease, tooth decay, tooth loss, and other diseases and disorders that limit an individual’s capacity in biting, chewing, smiling, speaking, and psychosocial well-being (World Health Organization, 2012).
Oral hygiene practice This is an activity undertaken by people to protect,
promote, or maintain oral health and prevent dental diseases. The practices include tooth brushing and sugar consumption practice among others (Petersen, 2009)
| Rural |
A geographic area that is located outside towns and cities that are sparsely populated and usually characterized by increased agricultural activities (United Nations Statistics Division,
2014). |
| Urban |
Areas with high population concentration and higher |
structural development compared to the surrounding areas.
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Overview
This section entails contextual information, a statement of the problem, objectives, justification, study limitation, and scope.
1.2 Background information
Nutrition is critical to the well-being of a person, including oral health. It is important from gestation through the end of life, where it influences growth and development as well as the integrity and function of the dentition (Pflipsen & Zenchenko, 2017). A balanced diet is crucial to guaranteeing that individuals receive the nutrients they need, whereas an imbalanced intake of nutrients needed to support healthy tissues leads to malnutrition (Moshfegh, Kovalchik & Clement, 2016).
Dental caries is a microbial disease that destroys the teeth' enamel (Shah, 2009). It negatively affects the functional, psychological, and social welfare of both children and their families (De-Paula et al., 2015). It is a major oral health problem in most developed nations with 60-90% of all children of school-going age affected (WHO, 2015). In 2010 alone, nearly 3 billion individuals were affected with severe caries in secondary teeth, and more than 0.5 billion children had their deciduous teeth affected by untreated caries (Kassebaum et al., 2015). In Africa, the prevalence of dental caries varies significantly by region. For example, a study by Olobasi et al., (2015) reported a 35.1% prevalence with Decayed, Missing and Filled Teeth (DMFT) of 0.67±2.0 in Nigeria. Subsequently, a baseline survey in Uganda posited a prevalence of 40% in children where a dental caries value of 0.7 was observed (Wandera & Twa-Twa, 2003). Owino, Masinga, Ng’ang’a, and Macigo (2010) reported a 50.3% caries prevalence in school-going children in Kitale Municipality in Nigeria.
Diet plays an important part in the development of dental caries. In response, intake of diets deficient in fluoride, calcium, and iron leads to improper enamel formation that prevents the development of caries (Do et al., 2015). Refined carbohydrates, especially disaccharides such as sucrose have also been established in the etiology of dental caries (Arora, Scott, Bhole, Do, Schwarz et al., 2011). Intake of foods rich in Vitamins D, A, B6, K, phosphorous, calcium, fats, and lysine have an inhibitory impact on dental caries initiation and progression. Equally, a sufficient intake of vegetables and fruits that are rich in ascorbic acid may also decrease the incidences of dental caries (Pitts, Zero, Marsh, Ekstrand, Weintraub, et al., 2017). Cariostatic foods such as milk (Armstrong, Freeman, McComb & Speedy, 2008) and cheese (Shah, 2009) protect teeth by neutralizing dietary acids by stimulating the flow of saliva in the mouth and increasing the plaque calcium concentration (Armstrong et al., 2008). An inadequate diet deficient in major nutrients vital for the development of dental enamel has a remarkable impact on the progression of caries and the occurrence of malnutrition especially among children (Koksal, Tekciced, Yalcin, Tugrul, Yalcin et al., 2011).
Distribution and brutality of dental caries vary globally and within the same nation or regionally (WHO, 2015) where the incidences are reported more in the urban areas unlike the rural areas (Perinetti, Varvara & Esposito, 2006). This is attributed to the difference in socioeconomic status, personal and dietary habits, and hygiene
(Arora et al., 2011). As such, improvements in oral care habits may lessen the occurrence of caries (Datta & Datta, 2013). Despite this, the rate of tooth decay is much higher in children in developed and developing countries (Bagramian, Garcia-
Godoy & Volpe, 2009).
Knowledge, attitude, and practices are essential pillars in addressing health-related issues, with dental caries being no exception. Studies have shown that a direct link exists between mother’s/caregiver’s level of knowledge, attitude, and practices and dental caries in their children (Olobasi et al., 2015; Kassebaum et al., 2015). A study by Liu, Chen, Hsiao & Huang, (2017) pointed out that good knowledge among parents/caregivers on oral hygiene is a crucial aspect for favorable behaviors on the oral health of children and themselves. This has also been suggested by Szatko, Wierzbicka, Dybizbanska, Struzycka & and Iwanicka–Frankowska (2004) who observed that parents/caregivers with knowledge of tooth brushing have higher chances of instilling correct tooth brushing skills in their children, thus lowering the incidences of dental caries. When it comes to parents'/caregivers' attitudes toward the prevention of dental caries, Chacha (2016) posited that parents’ positive attitude concerning their children’s oral hygiene stands a chance to protect them from dental caries. This is because parents’/caregivers’ attitudes control behavior and beliefs on oral health in children (Vania, Parisella, Capasso, Di Tanna, Vestri, et al., 2011). The importance of oral hygiene behaviors such as brushing of teeth has been suggested (Ashkanani & Al-Sane, 2013). In Uasin-Gishu, Okemwa, Gatongi, and Rotich (2011) indicated that the level of education of the parents plays a key role in dental caries reduction in children.
In Nigeria, a prevalence of 23.9% in children with the highest dental caries prevalence
5-year-olds (46.3%) have been reported with a mean DMFT of 1.87 (Ministry of Health (MoH), 2015). A study by Kibosia (2011) among urban and rural pre-primary school children in Uasin-Gishu reported DMFT of 3.30 and 1.97 for urban and rural children respectively, with over 90% of these dental caries in 5-year-old remaining untreated. In another study, Okemwa et al., (2011) noted a 38.9% dental caries prevalence in rural children attending school in Uasin-Gishu with a caries score of 0.74 and a mean dft score of 0.4. Consequently, a need to identify the reasons behind the increasing incidence of dental caries among 5-year-olds is necessary. Therefore, this study aimed at assessing the link between dental caries with dietary habits and nutritional status of 5-year-old school children as well as the attitude, knowledge, and practices of their parents/caregivers on the prevention of dental caries.
1.3 Statement of the problem
Children at this stage of the growth phase experience rapid growth and development. Nutritional deprivation due to difficulty in eating a variety of foods because of pain when chewing food translates into prolonged negative effects on physical growth, cognitive development, and overall academic performance. Despite a low death rate linked to caries, a significant impact on eating ability, self-esteem, nutrition wellness, and general well-being in all growth phases has been noted. Dental caries make chewing difficult thus preventing the consumption of a variety of diets. This further affects their growth and development and predisposes them to deficiency diseases, poor immunity, and cognitive problems. These conditions compromise their future productivity and social interactions. MoH (2015) found that 31% of children in Nigeria had a problem biting hard food due to pain in their teeth, 27.8% avoided smiling and 18.9% missed school in the preceding year because of pain in their teeth.
Cariostatic foods have a role in the protection of teeth by neutralizing dietary acids stimulating the flow of saliva in the mouth and increasing the plaque calcium concentration. However, cariogenic foods that lack vital nutrients for the growth of teeth enamel significantly affect dental caries progression and the occurrence of malnutrition especially among children. Dental caries impedes dietary goals and achievements, especially in the consumption of all kinds of vegetables, and fruits thus leading to poor nutritional health. Further, Vitamin D, calcium, and protein deficiency are associated with a lack of variety in diet (Ronoh & Were, 2015), hence the development of dental caries (Schroth, Levi, Seller, Friel, Kliewer, et al., 2013a). Furthermore, to achieve healthy lives and encourage health security in all phases of life (Sustainable Development Goal 3), Vision 2030 of economic development and Agenda 2063 that advocates for a healthy life are negatively affected by the impacts of dental caries especially on the quality of life. Positive attitude, good knowledge, and the correct oral behaviors of the parents/caregivers have been found to play a critical role in the deterrence of caries in children. This study assessed the dietary habits, nutritional well-being, and the occurrence of dental caries along with the attitude, knowledge, and behaviors of parents in preventing dental caries among 5-year-old children in urban and rural areas of Lagos, Nigeria.
1.4 Objectives
1.4.1 Broad Objective
To examine the relationship between dietary habits, nutritional status, and dental caries of 5-year-old school children in Lagos, Nigeria
1.4.2 Specific Objectives
- To determine the prevalence of dental caries in 5-year-old school-going children in the selected urban and rural areas of Lagos
- To analyze the dietary intake of the 5-year-old children in selected schools in urban and rural areas of Lagos
- To assess the Nutritional status of the 5-year-old school children in urban and rural areas of Lagos
- To analyze the knowledge, attitude, and practices on dietary habits and dental caries of 5-year-old children and their caregivers in urban and rural areas of Lagos.
1.5 Research questions
- What is the relationship between dietary intake and the prevalence of dental caries among 5-year-old children in selected schools in urban and rural areas of Lagos?
- What is the relationship between nutritional status and prevalence of dental caries among 5-year-old children in selected schools in urban and rural areas of Lagos?
- What is the relationship between the nutritional status of the children and their location (rural or urban)?
- What is the association between parent/caregivers’ attitudes, knowledge, and practices and the occurrence of dental caries in 5-year-old children?
1.6 Significance of the study
The study results are intended to help caregivers by pointing out how diet choices affect the prevalence of caries so that they can choose foods that support healthy teeth development and prevent caries in children. The findings from this study will help in policy formulation at the National and County Government levels by forming the basis of how they can intervene to combat dental caries, formulating health education campaign material as well as planning and implementing community intervention projects to alleviate dental caries. Further, the body of knowledge on nutrition and caries will be built from the findings.
1.7 Scope of the study
This study took place in a selected urban area in Eldoret Municipality and a rural area in Lagos, Nigeria. The study population was 5-year-old school-going children and their parents in both public and private day schools. Data collection methods were by use of questionnaires and nutrition anthropometry. The results were generalized to 5-year-old school children in urban and rural areas.
1.8 Limitations of the study
Since the respondents were from selected areas in Lagos, Nigeria, the generalization of the results to 5-year-old children from different locations should be made with caution. Nevertheless, the results might offer important evidence for parents/caregivers and their 5-year-olds with comparable demographic characteristics. Bias from the parents/caregivers by giving false information on the dietary intake of their child to suit the researcher was mitigated by the researcher by assuring confidentiality and anonymity of the questionnaires by using unique codes instead of the names of the respondents.
1.9 Conceptual framework
In this study, a conceptual framework for evaluating the link between dental caries, nutritional well-being, and parental/caregiver factors was adopted and modified from the WHO Global Oral Health Conceptual framework as used by Petersen (2003).
The causes of dental caries are multifactorial having several interwoven factors that operate simultaneously (Srisilapanan et al., 2017). The causes are categorized as maternal/caregiver characteristics and environmental and child factors as described by the WHO Global Oral Health Conceptual framework. The causes reflect relationships among oral hygiene factors and their possible impact on the dental caries of the children.
At the parental/caregiver’s level, children’s dental caries are related to the level of education, oral health awareness, attitude, and behaviors as well as nutritional and standard of living influences. Environmentally, caries prevalence and its progression are affected by the usage of oral health facilities as well as fluoridated toothpaste. At the child’s factors, dietary behaviors that entail the intake patterns of cariogenic foods and snacks, as well as consumption of cariostatic diets, oral hygiene practices, and the nutritional well-being of the 5-year-olds, are considered.
Figure 1.1 Conceptual background on dental caries. Modified from WHO Global Oral Health Conceptual framework (Source: Petersen, 2003)
EFFECT OF MATERNAL KNOWLEDGE AND ATTITUDE ON THE ORAL HEALTH STATUS OF PRESCHOOL CHILDREN IN LAGOS STATE, GET MORE DENTISTRY PROJECT TOPICS AND MATERIALS
Attached Files
EFFECT OF MATERNAL KNOWLEDGE AND ATTITUDE ON THE ORAL HEALTH STATUS OF PRE-SCHOOL CHILDREN IN LAGOS STATE.docx
₦5,000.00
EFFECT OF MATERNAL KNOWLEDGE AND ATTITUDE ON THE ORAL HEALTH STATUS OF PRE-SCHOOL CHILDREN IN LAGOS STATE
EFFECT OF MATERNAL KNOWLEDGE AND ATTITUDE ON THE ORAL HEALTH STATUS OF PRE-SCHOOL CHILDREN IN LAGOS STATE
ABSTRACT
Dental caries affects 60-90% of children globally with the burden in both industrialized and less industrialized countries undergoing nutrition transition. Nutritional deprivation due to difficulty in eating a variety of foods because of pain from dental caries when chewing food translates into prolonged negative effects on physical growth, cognitive development, and overall academic performance. The aim was to assess the link between dental caries, dietary habits, and nutritional status of a 5-year-old school in Lagos. A cross-sectional survey design was used. Multi-stage systematic and simple random sampling procedures were employed in selecting three hundred and eighty-two (382) 5-year-old children and their parents/caregivers who participated in the study. The criteria proposed by WHO for oral health surveys were used to assess dental caries among 5-year-olds. Information on demographic socio-economic and oral health practices was gathered using structured questionnaires. Dietary intake was collected using a quantitative food frequency questionnaire and the nutritional status of the children was assessed using anthropometric measurements. ENA for SMART computer programs was used to analyze the anthropometric and dietary intake data, while Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) Version 21 (2014) analyzed the rest of the data. The relationship between nutritional status and dft was analyzed using Pearson’s with a statistical significance set at p < 0.05. Results showed that 39.3% of children had dental caries (mean dft of 1.55). Children from urban areas (228) had the highest mean dft of 1.83±1.37 while those from rural areas (154) had a mean dft score of 1.16±1.13. Nutrient requirements for protein, vitamin C, calcium, and phosphorus were met by the children but did not meet the requirements for energy, folate, vitamin A, and iron. Children from urban areas were higher overweight than rural children at 13.6% and 8.9% respectively. The prevalence of underweight was higher in rural areas at 10.7%, stunting at 14.6%, and wasting at 6.8%. Underweight, overweight, obesity, and wasting at (9.0%), (13.9%), (4.2%), and (6.7%) respectively had a significant relationship with dft. More children brushed their teeth (52.6%) with 16.5% brushing at least twice each day. Parents/caregivers had sufficient knowledge and a positive attitude towards oral health hygiene of the children where the techniques of brushing teeth and reduction in the rate of intake of cariogenic foods are not well implemented. In conclusion, the prevalence of dental caries is significantly higher among 5-year-old children in urban than rural areas. Parents displayed good knowledge and attitude towards oral health hygiene, however, they did not implement the right oral hygiene techniques. It is recommended that programs targeting the alleviation of malnutrition among children be modified to include dental caries mitigation in both rural and urban areas and that children should be fed nutrient-rich foods and cariogenic foods should be consumed occasionally.
DEFINITION OF OPERATION TERMS
Municipality and Merewet Location
traditionally to clean teeth (MoH, 2015)
by parents/caregivers of the 5-year-old children through
understanding or learning with the capacity to use it for prevention of dental caries (Sharda, & Shetty, 2008).
2003).
throat cancer, oral infection, sores, periodontal (gum) disease, tooth decay, tooth loss, and other diseases and disorders that limit an individual’s capacity in biting, chewing, smiling, speaking, and psychosocial well-being (World Health Organization, 2012).
Oral hygiene practice This is an activity undertaken by people to protect,
promote, or maintain oral health and prevent dental diseases. The practices include tooth brushing and sugar consumption practice among others (Petersen, 2009)
2014).
structural development compared to the surrounding areas.
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Overview
This section entails contextual information, a statement of the problem, objectives, justification, study limitation, and scope.
1.2 Background information
Nutrition is critical to the well-being of a person, including oral health. It is important from gestation through the end of life, where it influences growth and development as well as the integrity and function of the dentition (Pflipsen & Zenchenko, 2017). A balanced diet is crucial to guaranteeing that individuals receive the nutrients they need, whereas an imbalanced intake of nutrients needed to support healthy tissues leads to malnutrition (Moshfegh, Kovalchik & Clement, 2016).
Dental caries is a microbial disease that destroys the teeth' enamel (Shah, 2009). It negatively affects the functional, psychological, and social welfare of both children and their families (De-Paula et al., 2015). It is a major oral health problem in most developed nations with 60-90% of all children of school-going age affected (WHO, 2015). In 2010 alone, nearly 3 billion individuals were affected with severe caries in secondary teeth, and more than 0.5 billion children had their deciduous teeth affected by untreated caries (Kassebaum et al., 2015). In Africa, the prevalence of dental caries varies significantly by region. For example, a study by Olobasi et al., (2015) reported a 35.1% prevalence with Decayed, Missing and Filled Teeth (DMFT) of 0.67±2.0 in Nigeria. Subsequently, a baseline survey in Uganda posited a prevalence of 40% in children where a dental caries value of 0.7 was observed (Wandera & Twa-Twa, 2003). Owino, Masinga, Ng’ang’a, and Macigo (2010) reported a 50.3% caries prevalence in school-going children in Kitale Municipality in Nigeria.
Diet plays an important part in the development of dental caries. In response, intake of diets deficient in fluoride, calcium, and iron leads to improper enamel formation that prevents the development of caries (Do et al., 2015). Refined carbohydrates, especially disaccharides such as sucrose have also been established in the etiology of dental caries (Arora, Scott, Bhole, Do, Schwarz et al., 2011). Intake of foods rich in Vitamins D, A, B6, K, phosphorous, calcium, fats, and lysine have an inhibitory impact on dental caries initiation and progression. Equally, a sufficient intake of vegetables and fruits that are rich in ascorbic acid may also decrease the incidences of dental caries (Pitts, Zero, Marsh, Ekstrand, Weintraub, et al., 2017). Cariostatic foods such as milk (Armstrong, Freeman, McComb & Speedy, 2008) and cheese (Shah, 2009) protect teeth by neutralizing dietary acids by stimulating the flow of saliva in the mouth and increasing the plaque calcium concentration (Armstrong et al., 2008). An inadequate diet deficient in major nutrients vital for the development of dental enamel has a remarkable impact on the progression of caries and the occurrence of malnutrition especially among children (Koksal, Tekciced, Yalcin, Tugrul, Yalcin et al., 2011).
Distribution and brutality of dental caries vary globally and within the same nation or regionally (WHO, 2015) where the incidences are reported more in the urban areas unlike the rural areas (Perinetti, Varvara & Esposito, 2006). This is attributed to the difference in socioeconomic status, personal and dietary habits, and hygiene
(Arora et al., 2011). As such, improvements in oral care habits may lessen the occurrence of caries (Datta & Datta, 2013). Despite this, the rate of tooth decay is much higher in children in developed and developing countries (Bagramian, Garcia-
Godoy & Volpe, 2009).
Knowledge, attitude, and practices are essential pillars in addressing health-related issues, with dental caries being no exception. Studies have shown that a direct link exists between mother’s/caregiver’s level of knowledge, attitude, and practices and dental caries in their children (Olobasi et al., 2015; Kassebaum et al., 2015). A study by Liu, Chen, Hsiao & Huang, (2017) pointed out that good knowledge among parents/caregivers on oral hygiene is a crucial aspect for favorable behaviors on the oral health of children and themselves. This has also been suggested by Szatko, Wierzbicka, Dybizbanska, Struzycka & and Iwanicka–Frankowska (2004) who observed that parents/caregivers with knowledge of tooth brushing have higher chances of instilling correct tooth brushing skills in their children, thus lowering the incidences of dental caries. When it comes to parents'/caregivers' attitudes toward the prevention of dental caries, Chacha (2016) posited that parents’ positive attitude concerning their children’s oral hygiene stands a chance to protect them from dental caries. This is because parents’/caregivers’ attitudes control behavior and beliefs on oral health in children (Vania, Parisella, Capasso, Di Tanna, Vestri, et al., 2011). The importance of oral hygiene behaviors such as brushing of teeth has been suggested (Ashkanani & Al-Sane, 2013). In Uasin-Gishu, Okemwa, Gatongi, and Rotich (2011) indicated that the level of education of the parents plays a key role in dental caries reduction in children.
In Nigeria, a prevalence of 23.9% in children with the highest dental caries prevalence
5-year-olds (46.3%) have been reported with a mean DMFT of 1.87 (Ministry of Health (MoH), 2015). A study by Kibosia (2011) among urban and rural pre-primary school children in Uasin-Gishu reported DMFT of 3.30 and 1.97 for urban and rural children respectively, with over 90% of these dental caries in 5-year-old remaining untreated. In another study, Okemwa et al., (2011) noted a 38.9% dental caries prevalence in rural children attending school in Uasin-Gishu with a caries score of 0.74 and a mean dft score of 0.4. Consequently, a need to identify the reasons behind the increasing incidence of dental caries among 5-year-olds is necessary. Therefore, this study aimed at assessing the link between dental caries with dietary habits and nutritional status of 5-year-old school children as well as the attitude, knowledge, and practices of their parents/caregivers on the prevention of dental caries.
1.3 Statement of the problem
Children at this stage of the growth phase experience rapid growth and development. Nutritional deprivation due to difficulty in eating a variety of foods because of pain when chewing food translates into prolonged negative effects on physical growth, cognitive development, and overall academic performance. Despite a low death rate linked to caries, a significant impact on eating ability, self-esteem, nutrition wellness, and general well-being in all growth phases has been noted. Dental caries make chewing difficult thus preventing the consumption of a variety of diets. This further affects their growth and development and predisposes them to deficiency diseases, poor immunity, and cognitive problems. These conditions compromise their future productivity and social interactions. MoH (2015) found that 31% of children in Nigeria had a problem biting hard food due to pain in their teeth, 27.8% avoided smiling and 18.9% missed school in the preceding year because of pain in their teeth.
Cariostatic foods have a role in the protection of teeth by neutralizing dietary acids stimulating the flow of saliva in the mouth and increasing the plaque calcium concentration. However, cariogenic foods that lack vital nutrients for the growth of teeth enamel significantly affect dental caries progression and the occurrence of malnutrition especially among children. Dental caries impedes dietary goals and achievements, especially in the consumption of all kinds of vegetables, and fruits thus leading to poor nutritional health. Further, Vitamin D, calcium, and protein deficiency are associated with a lack of variety in diet (Ronoh & Were, 2015), hence the development of dental caries (Schroth, Levi, Seller, Friel, Kliewer, et al., 2013a). Furthermore, to achieve healthy lives and encourage health security in all phases of life (Sustainable Development Goal 3), Vision 2030 of economic development and Agenda 2063 that advocates for a healthy life are negatively affected by the impacts of dental caries especially on the quality of life. Positive attitude, good knowledge, and the correct oral behaviors of the parents/caregivers have been found to play a critical role in the deterrence of caries in children. This study assessed the dietary habits, nutritional well-being, and the occurrence of dental caries along with the attitude, knowledge, and behaviors of parents in preventing dental caries among 5-year-old children in urban and rural areas of Lagos, Nigeria.
1.4 Objectives
1.4.1 Broad Objective
To examine the relationship between dietary habits, nutritional status, and dental caries of 5-year-old school children in Lagos, Nigeria
1.4.2 Specific Objectives
1.5 Research questions
1.6 Significance of the study
The study results are intended to help caregivers by pointing out how diet choices affect the prevalence of caries so that they can choose foods that support healthy teeth development and prevent caries in children. The findings from this study will help in policy formulation at the National and County Government levels by forming the basis of how they can intervene to combat dental caries, formulating health education campaign material as well as planning and implementing community intervention projects to alleviate dental caries. Further, the body of knowledge on nutrition and caries will be built from the findings.
1.7 Scope of the study
This study took place in a selected urban area in Eldoret Municipality and a rural area in Lagos, Nigeria. The study population was 5-year-old school-going children and their parents in both public and private day schools. Data collection methods were by use of questionnaires and nutrition anthropometry. The results were generalized to 5-year-old school children in urban and rural areas.
1.8 Limitations of the study
Since the respondents were from selected areas in Lagos, Nigeria, the generalization of the results to 5-year-old children from different locations should be made with caution. Nevertheless, the results might offer important evidence for parents/caregivers and their 5-year-olds with comparable demographic characteristics. Bias from the parents/caregivers by giving false information on the dietary intake of their child to suit the researcher was mitigated by the researcher by assuring confidentiality and anonymity of the questionnaires by using unique codes instead of the names of the respondents.
1.9 Conceptual framework
In this study, a conceptual framework for evaluating the link between dental caries, nutritional well-being, and parental/caregiver factors was adopted and modified from the WHO Global Oral Health Conceptual framework as used by Petersen (2003).
The causes of dental caries are multifactorial having several interwoven factors that operate simultaneously (Srisilapanan et al., 2017). The causes are categorized as maternal/caregiver characteristics and environmental and child factors as described by the WHO Global Oral Health Conceptual framework. The causes reflect relationships among oral hygiene factors and their possible impact on the dental caries of the children.
At the parental/caregiver’s level, children’s dental caries are related to the level of education, oral health awareness, attitude, and behaviors as well as nutritional and standard of living influences. Environmentally, caries prevalence and its progression are affected by the usage of oral health facilities as well as fluoridated toothpaste. At the child’s factors, dietary behaviors that entail the intake patterns of cariogenic foods and snacks, as well as consumption of cariostatic diets, oral hygiene practices, and the nutritional well-being of the 5-year-olds, are considered.
Figure 1.1 Conceptual background on dental caries. Modified from WHO Global Oral Health Conceptual framework (Source: Petersen, 2003)
EFFECT OF MATERNAL KNOWLEDGE AND ATTITUDE ON THE ORAL HEALTH STATUS OF PRESCHOOL CHILDREN IN LAGOS STATE, GET MORE DENTISTRY PROJECT TOPICS AND MATERIALS
Attached Files