Vasconcelos Flávia Maria Nassar de, Massoni Andreza Cristina de Lima Targino, Heimer Mônica Vilela, Ferreira Angela Maria Brito, Katz Cíntia Regina Tornisiello, Rosenblatt Aronita
Department of Preventive and Community Dentistry, Dental School, University of Pernambuco, Camaragibe, PE, Brazil.
Braz Dent J. 2011;22(2):140-5. doi: 10.1590/s0103-64402011000200009.
The aim of the present study was to investigate the prevalence of non-nutritive sucking habits and anterior open bite as well as their main causes (associated factors) in Brazilian children aged 30-59 months. A cross-sectional study was carried out during the National Immunization Day for polio in the city of Recife in the northeastern region of Brazil. The sample was made up of 1,308 children. Data were collected from interviews with mothers or guardians as well as from clinical examinations carried out by previously trained dental students. The chi-square test was used for statistical analysis at 5% significance level. The prevalence of non-nutritive sucking habits was 40%, and the habits were associated with gender (p=0.001), age (p=0.003) and feeding type (p<0.001). Anterior open bite was detected in 30.4% of children, and it was significantly associated with feeding type (p<0.001) and non-nutritive sucking habits (p<0.001). The variables found to be associated factors in the present study for the occurrence of non-nutritive sucking habits and anterior open bite emphasize the need to establish strategies that include orientation regarding health promotion based on the “common determining factors” approach. Public health policies should be adopted to encourage a longer duration of breastfeeding, thereby contributing towards reducing the prevalence of non-nutritive sucking habits and anterior open bite.
本研究的目的是调查巴西30至59个月大儿童的非营养性吸吮习惯和前牙开颌的患病率及其主要原因（相关因素）。在巴西东北部累西腓市的国家脊髓灰质炎免疫日期间开展了一项横断面研究。样本由1308名儿童组成。数据通过与母亲或监护人的访谈以及由先前接受过培训的牙科专业学生进行的临床检查收集。采用卡方检验进行统计分析，显著性水平为5%。非营养性吸吮习惯的患病率为40%，这些习惯与性别（p=0.001）、年龄（p=0.003）和喂养方式（p<0.001）相关。30.4%的儿童检测出前牙开颌，其与喂养方式（p<0.001）和非营养性吸吮习惯（p<0.001）显著相关。本研究中发现的与非营养性吸吮习惯和前牙开颌发生相关的因素强调了有必要制定基于“共同决定因素”方法的促进健康指导策略。应采取公共卫生政策鼓励延长母乳喂养时间，从而有助于降低非营养性吸吮习惯和前牙开颌的患病率。
