Knowledge and attitude towards oral health among caretakers of children below 5 years at Masaka regional referral hospital, Masaka district. A cross-sectional study.

Abstract

Background:

Primary teeth not only lay down the foundation for permanent teeth but also play a key role in chewing, the development of speech, guiding the eruption of permanent teeth, and maintaining space. The aim of the study is to assess knowledge and attitude towards oral health among caretakers of children below 5 years at Masaka regional referral hospital, Masaka district.

 Methodology:

A cross-sectional descriptive research design was used in this study. The group was composed of caretakers of children below 5 years in the Masaka regional referral hospital. A simple random sampling technique was used to select respondents from the source population.

 Results:

Most of the respondents (52%) were within the age bracket of 24-29 years, (58%) knew that toothpaste contained fluoride, (54%) knew prevention of tooth decay as the role of fluoride in the toothpaste, (78%) knew tooth decay as the most common dental disease in children, (58%) knew the first milk tooth erupts after 6 months  (68%) knew restricting sweets prevents tooth decay, (90%) agreed that cleaning the child’s teeth should be done by caretakers, (80%) agreed that it’s necessary to clean the child’s teeth after every meal, (56%) disagreed that night-time bottle-feeding causes caries, (56%) disagreed that milk teeth do not require good care as it is going to fall anyway whereas minority (4%) uncertain.

 Conclusion:

Participants had fairly pleasing knowledge of oral health in children below 5 years. Participants had a reasonable attitude towards oral health in children below 5 years.

 Recommendations:

The Ministry of Health should promote health education of the masses on issues pertaining to oral health and hygiene to help the general public understand the different ways they can keep children’s mouths healthy and how to prevent illnesses resulting from poor oral hygiene.