IJERPH, Vol. 21, Pages 154: Knowledge and Attitudes of Parents about Oral Health in the Primary Dentition Stage in a Peruvian High Andean City

IJERPH, Vol. 21, Pages 154: Knowledge and Attitudes of Parents about Oral Health in the Primary Dentition Stage in a Peruvian High Andean City International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health doi: 10.3390/ijerph21020154 Authors: Nilton B. Rojas-Briceño Oscar J. Oc Oc Carrasco Yshoner A. Silva Silva Díaz Carla M. Ordinola Ramírez Oscar Pizarro Salazar Shírley J. Tuesta-Mendoza Jhonsy O. Silva-López Children’s oral health depends on parents’ knowledge and attitudes. The primary dentition stage, in particular, plays a crucial role in the comprehensive development of children. Therefore, the objective was to evaluate parents’ knowledge and attitudes about oral health in the primary dentition stage in Chachapoyas (Amazonas, NW Peru). A questionnaire was administered to 409 parents from 15 educational institutions, and the data were analyzed using multinomial logistic regression. Among the surveyed parents, 75.3% could identify at least one habit harmful to their children’s teeth (such as excessive sugar consumption) and one of its effects (such as dental caries). Additionally, 77.5% reported that their children presented some dental problem, more frequent in the peripheral areas than in the city’s center. Gender (odd ratio, OR = 0.484; p = 0.037), educational level (OR = 2.144; p = 0.043), and type of health insurance (OR = 2.627; p = 0.044) of the parents influenced awa...
Source: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health - Category: Environmental Health Authors: Tags: Article Source Type: research