Effects of using oral hygiene care pamphlets for housebound older persons
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Abstract
Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of using oral hygiene care pamphlets, in terms of improvement in knowledge and practical skill, decreasing of dental and denture plaque, and the opinions of participants regarding the applicability of the pamphlets, for housebound older persons and caregivers.
Materials and Methods: The pre-test and post-test in follow up study was proceeded at homes in a rural area of Chai Nat province to collect data from 93 housebound older persons who could perform oral care by themselves and 95 caregivers who performed oral care for dependent older persons. The investigation was carried out using questionnaires and oral examination. Oral health knowledge scores, dental and denture plaque scores, oral practice scores were collected at baseline and 4 weeks after pamphlets distribution. Applicability of the pamphlets was assessed by questionnaires. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, paired t-test, Wilcoxon signed-rank test, and independent samples t-test. The level of significance was considered at p<0.05.
Results: After 4 weeks, the knowledge and practice scores of older persons who could perform oral care were significantly greater than at baseline (p<0.01). The dental and denture plaque scores were significantly decreased (p<0.01, p=0.040, respectively). The results of caregivers conformed to those of the older persons except the denture plaque scores which decreased but not significant. The knowledge improvement of older persons and caregivers were 13.24% and 11.33%, respectively and were less than expectation. Sixty percent of the elders and 90% of caregivers rated the pamphlets suitable to be used in terms of understanding and applicability. Pamphlets with more illustrations should draw the elders’ interest.
Conclusion: The pamphlets were effective to improve knowledge and practical skill, and decrease dental plaque of housebound older persons. However, the knowledge improvement did not reach 20% of expectation. It was suggested that the pamphlets alone may not attract the elders’ interest and several instruction media should be provided.
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References
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