Knowledge and Attitude Towards Oral Hygiene and Feeding Practices among Parents with 24-71 Month Olds Visiting the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital

Abstract

Background: The prevalence of Early Childhood Caries (ECC) is increasing especially in low and middle-income countries. The prevalence of caries amongst 3-13-year-olds in Ghana is 40.4% and in children, caries progresses faster than in adults and its effects traverse just the oral health, affecting the general well-being and growth of the child. Study Aim: The aim of this study is to identify the knowledge and attitude towards oral hygiene and feeding practices among parents with of 24 – 71 month olds Methods: The study employed a descriptive cross-sectional study design based on a structured questionnaire administered to randomly sampled parents visiting the pediatric out-patient department (O.P.D) of the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital with their 24 – 71 month olds. Data collected was analyzed using STATA version 17. The Pearson chi square test was used in assessing associations between categorical variables(P<0.05) and logistic regression model used in determining factors that influenced the knowledge of parents as well as the practices they employed for their 24-71month olds. Results: Out of 239 participants for this study, 46.9% demonstrated poor knowledge on Early Childhood Caries, 89.1% had never taken their children to see a dentist and out of the 20 whose children complained of toothache, 9 (42. 9%) did nothing about it. Only 31% of parents employed good oral hygiene and feeding practices for their children. Conclusion: Most parents demonstrated poor knowledge, attitude and practices towards the oral health of their children. Ghanaian parents seldom sent their children to see the dentist even when they had toothache. It is recommended that children’s oral health campaigns be organized and channeled through T.V/Radio and already established child welfare and vaccination clinics.