Journal of Nursing & Care

Factors Influencing Compliance with Oral Hygiene Practices Among Upper Primary School Children at Eldoret Town in Uasin Gishu County, Kenya

Abstract

Mudola, J.M, Nyangena E and Muchee T

Oral health is an important part of general health of body while poor oral hygiene can be a source of many diseases and especially among children. Compliance with practices enhances oral health, individual self esteem, social acceptability among the peers and general health. The practices that prevent and reduce oral diseases include tooth brushing; tooth flossing; use of fluoridated toothpaste for brushing and mouth rinsing and lower consumption of sugary foods and beverages. Regular dental visits are a practice that helps in early detection and prevention of dental diseases. Several factors influence compliance with oral hygiene practices among the children. The study was done to investigate factors that influence compliance with oral hygiene practices among upper primary school children at Eldoret Town. First and foremost the study established the compliance of the children with oral hygiene practices. Specifically factors considered in this study were family and school characteristics. The research design was a descriptive cross-section survey conducted in four primary schools in Eldoret Town of Uasin Gishu County, Kenya. The sample comprised three hundred and sixteen (316) upper primary school children. Results showed that majority (70.3%) of the respondents brushed their teeth using toothbrush twice daily and 63.6% used fluoridated toothpaste. Only 24.3% used dental floss while 54.6% had never visited a dentist for checkups in-spite of having knowledge. There was a significant correlation between compliance with oral hygiene practices and family and school characteristics (r=0.425, p<0.001 and r=0.238, p<0.001) respectively. The study concluded that children in upper primary school were compliant with tooth brushing using fluoridated toothpaste. However, they were non-compliant with the use of dental floss and going for dental check-up. The study also concluded that family characteristics (role models, motivation/encouragement, financial ability) and school characteristics (oral health curriculum, teachers trained in oral health, working school health team, safe environment with adequate water, free from unhealthy foods) influenced the compliance with oral hygiene practices of children.