INVESTIGATING THE INFLUENCE OF PARENTAL KNOWLEDGE AND ATTITUDES ON CHILDREN'S ORAL HEALTH PRACTICES IN KADUNA STATE

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the Study

Generally, within a family, parents have the potential to influence their children's health behaviours (HB) and health status (OHS) through their own health knowledge, attitudes, and behaviours about a specific organ. A study conducted with American preschool children revealed a correlation between the mothers' awareness of their children's hygiene and the frequency at which their children brushed their teeth (Finlayson et al., 2020)..  Parents' level  oral health education is not only associated with how often children wash their teeth, but also with the condition of their oral hygiene and their experience with dental caries. According to a survey, parents who possess more extensive information about oral health are more likely to have children who maintain better dental hygiene (Lo et al., 2019). One the other hand, children whose parents had limited understanding of oral hygiene were more likely to develop early childhood caries  (Finlayson et al., 2020). 

Unarguably, parents' attitudes towards oral health are correlated with their knowledge of oral health and oral health behaviours. In addition to parents' knowledge of oral health, their attitudes also have an impact on the oral health of their children. A cross-national study of children aged 3 to 4 years old and their mothers in 17 countries found notable variations in parental views towards dental caries between children with and without the condition (Adair et al., 2018). 

Furthermore, a study conducted on children aged 3 to 5 years found that the attitudes of both parents towards nutrition and oral hygiene were significant risk factors for dental caries in their children (Skeie et al., 2019). A cross-sectional study conducted in Nigeria examined over 400 pairs of mothers and preschool children to determine the maternal-related risk factors that contribute to their children's dental health status (Adeniyi et al., 2019). The study revealed a significant correlation between moms having a positive attitude towards oral health and their children having no dental cavities and maintaining good oral hygiene.  According to Mohebbi  in 2018 children have a tendency to mimic and copy the behaviours and actions of their parents. Parental OHB are accumulated and shared with their offspring. Several studies have discovered a correlation between moms who exhibit favourable toothbrushing habits and use dental floss, and their children brushing their teeth more frequently  (Finlayson et al., 2020;). Furthermore, a study conducted in Japan demonstrated that parents who exhibited improved dental hygiene practices had a beneficial impact on the oral health of their children (Okada et al., 2022). 

Several epidemiological studies have investigated the correlation between the occurrence of OHS in parents and their children, and have discovered a significant association between the presence of OHS in parents and their children. Similarly, a correlation between dental caries occurrence in parents and children was documented by researchers (Maciel et al., 2021; Faye, 2019). The study found a correlation between parents' self-assessed poor dental health and the occurrence of early dental caries in their children.  According to a study, those who reported a family history of periodontal illnesses were also found to have an increased chance of developing periodontitis (Poutanen et al., 2017). The study revealed a correlation between the oral health practices and statuses of children and the income and education levels of their parents. Multiple studies have indicated that children belonging to households with greater incomes had a lower incidence of dental caries (Chu et al., 2022) . Furthermore, those with a greater degree of education tend to have a higher income, leading to improved job prospects and increased access to health education. The oral hygiene status of children was found to be positively correlated with the higher educational attainment of their mothers. Therefore, a survey will be conducted in order to investigate the influence of parental knowledge and attitudes on children's oral health practices in Kaduna state.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

Parents serve as the exemplars for their children. The inclination of children to mimic their parents is vital in developing their social skills. Therefore, it is anticipated that the knowledge and attitudes of parents may offer an indirect understanding of their children's health (Adeniyi et al., 2019). The oral health-related knowledge of parents has a favourable impact on their actions and, as a result, on the oral health of their children (Ashkanani and Al-Sane, 2023). According to Skaret et al. (2018), there is a direct correlation between a parent's positive attitudes towards oral health and the overall dental health of their children. Demographic parameters such as education, age, and sex of parents might offer valuable information for enhancing their health behaviours and thus improving the health of their children (Ashkanani and Al-Sane, 2023). 

A study conducted in Kuwait found that younger parents with a university degree or higher possessed considerably greater information regarding oral health compared to older participants with lower levels of education (Ashkanani and Al-Sane, 2023).  Although parents have a crucial role in the welfare of their young children, there is a lack of research on parental knowledge, attitudes, and preventive behaviours related to their children's oral health.

Although several studies have discovered a correlation between moms who exhibit favourable toothbrushing habits and use dental floss, and their children brushing their teeth more frequently (Okada et al., 2022; Finlayson et al., 2020). Furthermore, several epidemiological studies have investigated the correlation between the occurrence of OHS in parents and their children, and have discovered a significant association between the two. Also researches have documented a correlation between the occurrence of dental caries in parents and their children (Faye, 2019). The study found a correlation between parents' self-assessed poor dental health and the occurrence of early dental caries in their children(Maciel et al., 2021). However specific study regarding oral hygiene of parents, their  knowledge and how it impact children behaviour is still lacking in developing countries especially in Nigeria and reference to Kaduna state.  Thus, it is in the light of these that the study seeks to investigate the influence of parental knowledge and attitudes on children's oral health practices in Kaduna state.

1.3 Objectives of the Study

The main purpose of this study is to investigate the influence of parental knowledge and attitudes on children's oral health practices in Kaduna state. Specifically, the study will;

1.Assess the extent education programs improved the oral hygiene practices of students in Lagos state.

2.Assess the extent oral health education contributes to the reduction of dental caries among secondary school students.

3.Determine whether oral health education programs influences the attitude of students towards maintaining good oral hygiene.

1.4 Research Questions

The following questions have been prepared for the study:

To what extent have education programs improved the oral hygiene practices of students in Lagos State?

To what extent does oral health education contribute to the reduction of dental caries among secondary school students?

Does oral health education influence the attitude of students towards maintaining good oral hygiene?

1.5 Research Hypotheses

H0: Parental knowledge and attitudes have no significant influence on children's oral health practices in Kaduna State.

Ha: Parental knowledge and attitudes have significant influence on children's oral health practices in Kaduna State..

6 Significance of the Study

The findings of the study will  provide parents with valuable insights into the risk factors associated with inadequate oral hygiene. Also, the findings will be valuable to healthcare providers in offering oral health screening, early risk assessment, and preventative interventions to children who are most susceptible to developing early tooth decay. Additionally, subsequent researchers will use it as a literature review. This means that other students who may decide to conduct studies in this area will have the opportunity to use this study as available literature that can be subjected to critical review. Invariably, the result of the study contributes immensely to the body of academic knowledge with regard to the influence of parental knowledge and attitudes on children's oral health practices in Kaduna state.

1.7 Scope of the study

The scope of this study is boarded on the influence of parental knowledge and attitudes on children's oral health practices in Kaduna state. Geographically, the study will be delimited to some secondary schools in Lagos state.

1.8 Limitation of the study

In the course of carrying out this study, the researcher experienced some constraints, which included time constraints, financial constraints, language barriers, and the attitude of the respondents. In addition, there was the element of researcher bias. Here, the researcher possessed some biases that may have been reflected in the way the data was collected, the type of people interviewed or sampled, and how the data gathered was interpreted thereafter. The potential for all this to influence the findings and conclusions could not be downplayed. 

More so, the findings of this study are limited to the sample population in the study area, hence they may not be suitable for use in comparison to other schools, local governments, states, and other countries in the world.

1.9 Definition of Terms

Oral health: the condition of the teeth, gums, and general mouth, which is characterised by the absence of disease, adequate hygiene practices, and effective functioning of oral structures.

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