Journal of Health Promotion and Behavior
Vol 5, No 2 (2020)

Oral Health Literacy among School Students in Jodhpur City, Rajasthan, India

Ali, Anahita (Unknown)



Article Info

Publish Date
16 Apr 2020

Abstract

Background: In India, only 25% community health centers have dentists available, but these in­­fra­structures do not carry adequate instru­ments and other dental materials. This study aimed to examine the level of oral health know­ledge, attitudes and practice behaviors among school stu­dents.Subjects and Method: This was a cross-sectional study conducted in Jodhpur City, Ra­jasthan, India.  A total of 684 students of grade 9th & 10th from a private school were selected for this study. The data were collected by semi-structured ques­tion­naire. The data were analyzed using a logistic regression.Results:  297 (43.42%) participants reported wrong number (32 teeth) of teeth during teenage. 620 (90.64%) participants answered ‘Yes’ that sweet food items, soft drinks and chewing gums are responsible for tooth decay. 377 (55%) students agreed that fluoridated toothpaste helps in prevention of tooth decay. The correct tech­nique of tooth brushing reported by 325 (48%) participants is circular direction and up-down vertical direction by 223 (33%) of them. 621 (90%) said that ‘bleeding gums is the primary sign of bad oral health’. Dentist is the major source of information of 462 (68%) participants. 58 (8.5%) of them used other cleaning aids such as tongue cleaners, chewing gums, 120 (17.5%) did not use any cleaning aid. The regression analysis showed significant association between gender and regular dental visits (p=0.021), once and twice brushing habits daily, (p=0.015, p= 0.020) respectively.Conclusion: Oral health literacy levels among students were good to fair.Keywords: oral health behavior, health pro­mo­tion, oral health literacyCorrespondence: Dr. Anahita Ali. Jodhpur School of Public Health, Mau­lana Azad University, Kamla Nehru Nagar, Jodh­pur, Rajasthan, India- 342008. Email: ana­hi­taali1@gmail.com Mobile: +917023830675.Journal of Health Promotion and Behavior (2020): 114-123https://doi.org/10.26911/thejhpb.2020.05.02.06 

Copyrights © 2020






Journal Info

Abbrev

thejhpb

Publisher

Subject

Medicine & Pharmacology Public Health

Description

Journal of Health Promotion and Behavior (JHPB) is an electronic, open-access, double-blind and peer-reviewed international journal, focusing on health promotion and health-related behaviors. It began its publication on May 21, 2015. The journal is published four times yearly. It seeks to understand ...