Nyandindi U, Palin-Palokas T, Milén A, Robison V, Kombe N
Department of Community and Preventive Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
Public Health. 1994 Jan;108(1):35-41. doi: 10.1016/s0033-3506(05)80033-2.
This study analysed the prevailing oral health-related knowledge, attitudes and behaviour of children entering school in Tanzania. The assessment was conducted in a random sample of 200 children who were newly enrolled in first grade in urban and rural areas of the Ilala district, by means of interviews, oral hygiene check-ups and practical exercises. Toothbrushing was a prevalent habit among these children, but its efficiency was low. Modern toothbrushes were commonly used and preferred to wooden toothbrushes. Toothpaste was considered essential and commonly used in urban areas but, instead, charcoal or ash were used in rural areas. The children's sugar consumption was low, but they widely valued sugary snacks. They had low awareness of gum disease and tooth decay, and poor knowledge about the causes and prevention of these diseases. These findings indicate gaps in the children's oral health ideas and practices acquired from home. The ongoing school oral health education is a crucial opportunity for the required improvements.
本研究分析了坦桑尼亚即将入学儿童当前与口腔健康相关的知识、态度和行为。通过访谈、口腔卫生检查和实践操作，对伊拉拉区城乡新入学一年级的200名儿童进行了随机抽样评估。刷牙是这些儿童中普遍存在的习惯，但效率较低。现代牙刷被普遍使用，且比木牙刷更受青睐。牙膏在城市地区被认为是必不可少且常用的，但在农村地区，人们使用的是木炭或灰烬。孩子们的糖摄入量较低，但他们普遍喜欢含糖零食。他们对牙龈疾病和龋齿的认识较低，对这些疾病的成因和预防知识了解甚少。这些发现表明，孩子们从家庭中获得的口腔健康观念和做法存在差距。正在进行的学校口腔健康教育是实现所需改进的关键契机。
