TY - JOUR

T1 - Oral health and oral health behaviour among 11-13-year-olds in Bhopal, India

AU - Christensen, Lisa Bøge

AU - Petersen, Poul Erik

AU - Bhambal, Ajay

PY - 2003/9

Y1 - 2003/9

N2 - OBJECTIVES: To assess the prevalence of dental caries, to describe the periodontal conditions, and to assess the level of attitude, knowledge and practice in relation to oral health and oral health behaviour among 11-13 year-old children in Bhopal, India. The data would aim to provide a baseline for planning and evaluation of oral health education programmes for children in the region. BASIC RESEARCH DESIGN AND OUTCOME MEASURES: A cross sectional study of 599 children 11-13 years was conducted. Random sampling procedures were used to obtain representative samples of children in rural (n = 181) and urban areas (n = 277). In urban slum areas convenience sampling was applied (n = 141). The data were collected through clinical examinations by means of WHO standard method, and a sub-sample completed a self-administered questionnaire on oral health behaviour, knowledge, and attitude.RESULTS: The caries prevalence proportion in both dentitions was 57% with a mean DMFT+dmft of 1.6. The caries experience was 2.5 times higher among children in slum areas compared to children living in rural areas. Fifteen per cent of the children had healthy gingiva and 91% of rural children had maximum CPI score 2. Mean number of sextants with CPI score 0 was 3.5 among children in urban areas and 0.6 for children in slum areas. Seventy-five per cent of the children reported toothbrushing once a day, 31% used a plastic toothbrush and the general level of knowledge on oral health was low. Intake of sugary food and soft drinks were more frequent in the slum areas compared to rural areas.CONCLUSION: Implementation of community-oriented oral health promotion programmes is needed in order to increase the level of knowledge and to change attitudes and practices in relation to oral health among children. Essential care should be provided to control oral disease symptoms.

AB - OBJECTIVES: To assess the prevalence of dental caries, to describe the periodontal conditions, and to assess the level of attitude, knowledge and practice in relation to oral health and oral health behaviour among 11-13 year-old children in Bhopal, India. The data would aim to provide a baseline for planning and evaluation of oral health education programmes for children in the region. BASIC RESEARCH DESIGN AND OUTCOME MEASURES: A cross sectional study of 599 children 11-13 years was conducted. Random sampling procedures were used to obtain representative samples of children in rural (n = 181) and urban areas (n = 277). In urban slum areas convenience sampling was applied (n = 141). The data were collected through clinical examinations by means of WHO standard method, and a sub-sample completed a self-administered questionnaire on oral health behaviour, knowledge, and attitude.RESULTS: The caries prevalence proportion in both dentitions was 57% with a mean DMFT+dmft of 1.6. The caries experience was 2.5 times higher among children in slum areas compared to children living in rural areas. Fifteen per cent of the children had healthy gingiva and 91% of rural children had maximum CPI score 2. Mean number of sextants with CPI score 0 was 3.5 among children in urban areas and 0.6 for children in slum areas. Seventy-five per cent of the children reported toothbrushing once a day, 31% used a plastic toothbrush and the general level of knowledge on oral health was low. Intake of sugary food and soft drinks were more frequent in the slum areas compared to rural areas.CONCLUSION: Implementation of community-oriented oral health promotion programmes is needed in order to increase the level of knowledge and to change attitudes and practices in relation to oral health among children. Essential care should be provided to control oral disease symptoms.

KW - Adolescent

KW - Adolescent Behavior

KW - Analysis of Variance

KW - Attitude to Health

KW - Chi-Square Distribution

KW - Child

KW - Child Behavior

KW - Cross-Sectional Studies

KW - DMF Index

KW - Dietary Carbohydrates

KW - Health Behavior

KW - Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice

KW - Humans

KW - India

KW - Oral Health

KW - Periodontal Index

KW - Poverty

KW - Rural Health

KW - Toothbrushing

KW - Urban Health

KW - Comparative Study

KW - Journal Article

KW - Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 12940305

VL - 20

SP - 153

EP - 158

JO - Community Dental Health

JF - Community Dental Health

SN - 0265-539X

IS - 3

ER -