RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SELF-PERCEIVED ORAL HEALTH PROBLEMS AND ORAL CARE PRACTICES AMONG SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS IN IBADAN

Abstract

Some methods of oral care adopted by individuals may be the cause of their self-perceived oral health problems. This cross-sectional survey was done to determine the effect of oral care practices on self perceived oral health problems among secondary school students in Ibadan. Permission to conduct the study was gotten from the commissioner for Education and the school authorities. Consent was also obtained from the parents and students who are 18 years and above; and assent was gotten from students less than 18 years of age. A 14-item structured questionnaire seeking information on self-perceived oral health problems and oral care practices was filled by each participant under supervision. The data was analyzed using windows statistical package for social sciences (SPSS), version 21.0. Descriptive statistics was performed on the variables and their associated factors. Significant association between variables was tested using chi-square and the results were presented in tables and charts. Out of 250 questionnaires administered, only 246 provided adequate information for analysis. The age range of the respondents was between 12 and 23years, with 67.5% being within 15-17years. The males were 102(41.5%), and there were 144 females (58.5%). Some of the respondents (45.5%) reported experience of one oral health problem or the other in the past one year, and 91.9% of the respondents were of opinion that their oral health can be improved. Statistically significant relationship was found between self-perceived pain in the gum and technique of brushing employed (x2 = 12.039, p = 0.002). Similarly, there was statistically significant relationship between gender and tool used for tooth cleaning (x2= 6.790, p = 0.034). The relationship between age group and the frequency of tooth cleaning (x2= 21. 661, p = 0.001) was also significant.