Factors Related to Oral Health Care Behaviors in Pre-School Children among Parents in Chamuang Sub-district, KhuanKhanun District, Phatthalung Province

Abstract

The purposes of this descriptive study were to study parental behaviors in oral health care for pre – school children and study factors related to oral health care behaviors in pre –school children among parents in Chamuang Sub-district, KhuanKhanun District, Phatthalung Province. The subjects were 110 parents of children aged three to five years. Questionnaire interviews were conducted and data analyzed using frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, chi - square test and Pearson’s product - moment correlation coefficient.

The results showed that most parents were female (81.8%), aged between 30 - 39 years (50.9%), and had children at four years old (47.3%). Parents’ income were less than or equal to 10,000 Baht (62.7%). More than half of parents graduated from high school or vocational certificate (55.4%) and were famers (36.4%). The relationship with children was as father or mother (88.2 %), parents had no dental treatment experiences (58.2%). Children had dental treatment experiences was professionally applied fluoride (55.5%). Most parents had high oral health knowledge (60.9%). Oral health attitudes, oral health practices and access to oral health care services at moderate level, 62.7, 82.7 and 74.5 %, respectively. Reinforcing factors received was good (53.6%). The results showed that parents’ gender and attitude were significantly related to oral health behaviors at 0.05 level.