Degif Rediet, Abaynew Yeshewas
Department of Dental Medicine, Atlas College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
School of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Wollo University, Dessie, Ethiopia.
Front Oral Health. 2025 Feb 24;6:1522682. doi: 10.3389/froh.2025.1522682. eCollection 2025.
Bad breath, or halitosis, is a common oral health problem that can significantly affect a person's social and psychological well-being. Understanding dental patients' knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to halitosis provides valuable insights into the current state of KAP related to halitosis in Addis Ababa and highlights the need for targeted educational interventions within dental health services.
This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices toward halitosis among dental patients at Zewditu Memorial Hospital in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
An institution-based cross-sectional study design was employed. A systematic random sampling technique was used to select 214 study participants. Data were collected via a structured questionnaire that assessed the participants' knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to halitosis. The data were checked, cleaned, and entered into SPSS version 25.0. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the data, and the findings were presented in texts, tables, and graphs.
In terms of knowledge, 71% of the participants had poor knowledge about halitosis. Approximately 68.7% of the participants had an unfavorable attitude toward halitosis. Furthermore, while 40.7% of the participants reported regular oral care and 42.5% used mouthwash, only 26.6% of the participants reported good practices regarding halitosis.
Overall, knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding halitosis among dental patients at Zewditu Memorial Hospital were not satisfactory. These results highlight critical gaps in public awareness and effective management strategies for halitosis. This study highlights the need for integrated public health initiatives and clinical practices that focus on improving awareness and management of halitosis to ultimately promote better oral health in the community.
口臭，即口腔异味，是一个常见的口腔健康问题，会严重影响一个人的社交和心理健康。了解牙科患者与口臭相关的知识、态度和行为，有助于深入了解亚的斯亚贝巴目前口臭相关的知信行状况，并凸显在牙科保健服务中开展针对性教育干预的必要性。
本研究旨在评估埃塞俄比亚亚的斯亚贝巴泽韦迪图纪念医院牙科患者对口臭的知识、态度和行为。
采用基于机构的横断面研究设计。使用系统随机抽样技术选取214名研究参与者。通过结构化问卷收集数据，该问卷评估了参与者与口臭相关的知识、态度和行为。数据经过检查、清理后录入SPSS 25.0版本。使用描述性统计来描述数据，并以文字、表格和图表形式呈现研究结果。
在知识方面，71%的参与者对口臭了解不足。约68.7%的参与者对口臭持负面态度。此外，虽然40.7%的参与者报告有定期口腔护理，42.5%的参与者使用漱口水，但只有26.6%的参与者报告在口臭方面有良好的行为习惯。
总体而言，泽韦迪图纪念医院牙科患者在口臭方面的知识、态度和行为并不令人满意。这些结果凸显了公众对口臭的认识以及有效管理策略方面的重大差距。本研究强调需要开展综合公共卫生举措和临床实践，重点是提高对口臭的认识和管理，以最终促进社区更好的口腔健康。
