Development and Research Service International Nepal, Khumaltar, Lalitpur, Nepal.
Department of Medical Science, The University of Cyberjaya, Cyberjaya, Malaysia.
BMC Oral Health. 2023 Feb 1;23(1):59. doi: 10.1186/s12903-023-02755-z.
Oral health problems are highly prevalent among school children in Nepal. Poor oral health condition may be influenced by various factors. However, little is known about the sociodemographic and awareness related factors on oral health problems among school children in Nepal. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the association of gender and knowledge on DMFT index among school children.
A cross-sectional study was conducted among school children of Grade Seven in 12 schools of Kaski district in Nepal. Schools were randomly selected from the urban and semi-urban areas in the district. Data were collected covering oral health knowledge, socio-demographic characteristics, oral health condition and practices. The factors of poor oral health condition and practices were examined using t-test, one-way ANOVA, and multiple linear regression.
Of the total participants (n = 669), 54.9% were females and their mean DMFT score was 1.82 (SD = 1.07). Total decayed score was higher among those who did not have knowledge that fluoride prevents decay compared to those who had knowledge about it (Being aware of fluoride prevents decay: Mean = 1.21 (SD = 1.54) versus not being aware of that: mean = 2.13 (SD = 2.13); p = 0.029). Females were more likely to have higher DMFT scores compared to males (β-coefficient = 0.43, 95% CI 0.13, 0.73, p = 0.005). In addition, higher knowledge score was negatively associated with higher DMFT score (β-coefficient = - 0.09, 95% CI - 0.20, -0.01, p = 0.047).
Being female students and those having lower level of knowledge on oral health attributed to higher DMFT index. Periodic dental check-up coupled with oral health education on regular brushing, use of fluoridated paste, tongue cleaning and care of gum diseases are recommended in schools.
尼泊尔的学龄儿童普遍存在口腔健康问题。口腔健康状况不佳可能受到多种因素的影响。然而，对于尼泊尔学龄儿童的口腔健康问题与社会人口学和认知相关因素知之甚少。因此，本研究旨在评估性别和对 DMFT 指数的认知与学龄儿童口腔健康问题之间的关系。
在尼泊尔卡斯基地区的 12 所学校的七年级学生中进行了一项横断面研究。从该地区的城市和半城市地区随机选择学校。收集涵盖口腔健康知识、社会人口统计学特征、口腔健康状况和习惯的数据。使用 t 检验、单向方差分析和多元线性回归来检查不良口腔健康状况和习惯的因素。
在总共的 669 名参与者中，54.9%为女性，他们的平均 DMFT 评分为 1.82（SD=1.07）。与那些不知道氟化物可以预防龋齿的人相比，那些不知道氟化物可以预防龋齿的人的总龋齿评分更高（了解氟化物可以预防龋齿：平均值=1.21（SD=1.54）与不了解的人相比：平均值=2.13（SD=2.13）；p=0.029）。与男性相比，女性更有可能具有更高的 DMFT 评分（β 系数=0.43，95%置信区间 0.13，0.73，p=0.005）。此外，较高的知识评分与较高的 DMFT 评分呈负相关（β 系数=−0.09，95%置信区间−0.20，−0.01，p=0.047）。
女生和对口腔健康知识水平较低的学生，DMFT 指数更高。建议在学校进行定期牙科检查，并进行口腔健康教育，包括定期刷牙、使用含氟牙膏、清洁舌头和护理牙龈疾病。
