Knowledge, attitude and tooth decay prevention behavior among grade 7-9 students, enrolled with Nonkha Health Station, Phon district, Khon Kaen Province

Abstract

          This study were aimed to examine knowledge, attitudes and tooth decay prevention behavior as well as to study the relationship between factors relating to tooth decay prevention behavior among 152 students in grade 7-9 at NonKha Wittaya school, Phon distric, Khon Kaen Province. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. (Chi-Square and Pearson’s correlation).

          The result showed most students were female (60.6%), mean age was 14 years, most parents were farmers (33.5%), average school allowance per day were 35.14 baht. Children spent 15.13 baht for lunch, 10.33 baht for snack per day. The average frequency of snacks purchased was 1.61 times per day. 52.0% students had tooth decay prevention knowledge at moderate level. Knowledge questions most answered correctly was; the best way to clean teeth is to brush teeth properly (94.7%), the least knowledge questions answered correctly was; the benefits of fluoride was reducing hypersensitive teeth (30.3%). 64.5% students had attitude toward tooth decay prevention at moderate level, 35.5 % had good level attitude. Maximum score was 2.75, minimum score was 1.94 (SD.= 0.17). 67.8% of students had tooth decay prevention behavior at moderate level (= 2.00, SD = 0.26)

Every day 30.3% consumed crunchy snack, 19.7% consumed soft drinks and 4.6% consumed sweet Thai dessert or fresh fruits. Frequency of snacks purchased was negatively correlated with oral cleansing behavior (r = - 0.247; P-value = 0.002). Tooth decay prevention attitudes and tooth decay prevention knowledge were positively correlated with the oral cleansing behavior (r = 0.239; P-value = 0.003 and r = 0.194; P-value = 0.016, respectively). Frequency of snacks purchase was negatively correlated with the behavior of food consumption (r = -0.160; P-value = 0.046). Tooth decay prevention knowledge was positively correlated with food consumption behavior (r = 0.185; P-value = 0.023). Age was associated with food consumption behavior (P-value = 0.040).