Effectiveness of Planned Teaching Programme on Knowledge and Practices of oral Hygiene among School Children

 

Renuka¹, Dr. Krishna Thakur²

¹Assistant Professor, Kular College of Nursing, Kishangarh

²Professor, Gian Sagar College of Nursing, Banur

 

ABSTRACT:

A Pre-experimental study was conducted in the selected schools, Punjab. The aim of the study is to evaluate the effectiveness of Planned Teaching Programme on knowledge and practices of oral hygiene among school children. A total 100 school children between age group 12-16 years and selected by the purposive sampling technique. Pre test was conducted to evaluate the existing knowledge and practices among school children regarding oral hygiene, same day Planned teaching programme was given and after 7^th day post test was conducted. Data was analyzed by descriptive and inferential statistics and presented through tables and figures. The existing knowledge on oral hygiene among school children was average as findings showed that existing knowledge Majority of the school children 77% had average knowledge and the remaining 23% had good knowledge and no one had the poor knowledge regarding oral hygiene among school children. Majority of the school children 67% had unhealthy practice and the remaining 33% had healthy practice and in practice 2 Majority of the school children  70% had poor practice and the remaining 40% had good practice regarding oral hygiene among school children. The mean post-test knowledge (Mean±SD) 24.24±4.714 was significantly higher than the mean pre-test 13.05±3.546 score, t = 23.099, p<0.05 level. The mean post-test practice 1 (regarding oral hygiene) (Mean±SD) 47.86±6.462 was significantly higher than the mean pre-test 37.60±5.805score, t = 23.122, p<0.05 level. The mean post-test practice 2 (brushing technique) (Mean±SD) 7.94±1.613was significantly higher than the mean pre-test 4.85±1.336score, t = 17.290p<0.05 level. The planned teaching programme proved to be effective in increasing the knowledge and practices regarding oral hygiene among school children of selected schools.

 

 

 

INTRODUCTION:

Hygiene refers to practices associated with ensuring good health and cleanliness.¹ Oral hygiene implies sound teeth and healthy gums with healthy surrounding tissues. The World Health Organization defines oral health as a “state of being free from chronic mouth and facial pain, oral and throat cancer, oral sores, birth defects such as cleft lip and palate, periodontal (gum) disease, tooth decay and tooth loss, and other diseases and disorders that affect the oral cavity”. Good oral health is essential for speech, communication, enjoyment of food and can improve self-esteem and dignity.

The WHO has considered dental caries and periodontal disease as the two most important global dental health diseases because of the high worldwide prevalence of both conditions. Dental caries are widespread, affecting 60-90% of school-age children and the majority of adults.

 

Dental diseases are public health burden in India, with periodontal diseases affecting an estimated 50 to 90 % of the general population, depending on age and the higher rates of dental diseases occur mostly in rural areas⁵.It was supported by another survey in 2004 which shows the prevalence of dental caries in children aged five years was 50%,52.5% in 12 year-olds, 61.4% in 15 year-olds, 79.2% in 35-44 year-olds, and 84.7% in 65-74 year-olds in a survey.²

 

Oral caring being an ideal incubator for organization (ideal temp. 35⁰ C, moisture, anaerobic and aerobic and availability of foods).By maintaining the good oral hygiene, we can prevent occurrence of many diseases. Unfortunately oral health practices are very poor and neglected in our society. Dental diseases and periodontal diseases occur due to poor oral hygiene practices.³

 

OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY:

·        To assess the existing knowledge regarding oral hygiene among school children.

·        To assess the practices regarding oral hygiene among school children.

·        To evaluate the effectiveness of planned teaching programme on knowledge and practices regarding oral hygiene among school children.

·        To determine the association of knowledge and practice score with selected demographic variables.

 

MATERIAL AND METHODS:

An evaluative research approach was adapted in order to assess the knowledge and practices on oral hygiene among school children in the selected schools, Punjab. The Planned Teaching Programme (PTP) was developed based on the review of related research and on research literature.

 

A Pre-Experimental design with one group pre- test and post- test design. (O₁       X    O₂) was used to evaluate the effectiveness of PTP for the present study. The content validity of tool and PTP was established by nine experts in the field of nursing. The pilot study was conducted on 10 samples for its clarity, unambiguity, feasibility on similar subjects. The main study was carried out on 100 school children in age group 12-16 years at Govt High School, Mirzapur, District Patiala, Punjab, Government Girls High School, Manakpur, District Patiala, Punjab by using purposive sampling technique. A self structured knowledge and practices questionnaire was administered for data collection.

 

The tool for data collection had three parts.

 

Part 1: Demographic data:

This part deals with the demographic variables of school children such as age, gender, educational status of student, father’s education, mother’s education, type of family, religion, sources of information regarding oral hygiene.

 

Part 2: Structured knowledge questionnaire:

This part consists of the total 28 questions which cover 5 areas of oral hygiene such as anatomy, oral hygiene, cleaning, oral problems oral treatment.

 

Knowledge	Scores	%
Poor	0-9	≤35
Average	10-19	36-69
Good	20-28	≥70

 

Part 3: Structured interview schedule on practices and observation checklist on Brushing Technique

3(a) 3 point likert scale for structured interview schedule on practice 1(regarding oral hygiene).3 point likert scale consisted of 20 statements regarding oral hygiene.

 

 

3(b) Observation checklist on brushing technique:

This part consists of total 10 steps for determine the correct brushing technique procedure.

 

Score interpretation and criteria measurement:

The maximum score was 1 and minimum score was 0. The total score of the brushing technique procedure was 10. Criteria as follows:

·        Poor -0-5

·        Good – 6-10

 

The collected data was organized, tabulated and analyzed based on objectives of the study by using descriptive statistics i.e. frequency and percentage, inferential statistics i.e. Chi square ‘t’ test and correlation coefficient. The paired ‘t’ test was used to find out the difference between pre test and post test knowledge  and practices score and the Chi square was used to find out the association between the demographic variables.

 

HYPOTHESIS:

·        H_1: The mean post-test knowledge and practice score will be significantly higher than the mean pre-test knowledge and practice score on oral hygiene.

·        H₂: There will be significant association of knowledge and practices scores with selected demographic variables.

 

ETHICAL CONSIDERATION:

The ethical approval was taken from ethical committee of Gian Sagar College of Nursing, Banur. Permission was taken from Principals of the respective schools prior to final data collection. Apart from this, informed consent was taken from each respondent to participate in the study.

 

RESULTS:

Section A:

Out of 100 samples 68% of students belongs to 12-14 year of age followed by equal percentage 32% of students noticed in the age group of 15-16 years. Regarding gender 69% were female. The educational status of the student was 6^th-7^th i.e. 33%, 8^th -9^th 43% and 10^thandabove 24%. Majority of student’s father education were secondary i.e.42%, primary 34%, illiterate 15% followed by graduate and above were 9%. Regarding students mother education, primary were 29%, illiterate 26%, graduate and above 24% and secondary 21%. More than half of students belonged to joint family 56%, single family 42%. In respect of religion, sample belonged to Sikh were 61%, Hindu 32% and Muslim 7%. Biggest source of information regarding oral hygiene were parents i.e.39%, school 33%, dentist 18%, and media 10%.

 

Section B:

Findings related to Knowledge and Practices:

The mean, median knowledge and practice score of pre test and post test are shown in Table I. The mean enhancement knowledge score found to be 11.19 and found significant at 5 percent level (t=23.099). The mean enhancement in Practice I score found to be 10.260  and results founded to be significant at 5 percent level (t=23.122). For the Practice 2 (Brushing Technique), mean enhancement score found to be 3.090 which is significant at 5 percent level (t=17.290) indicating the effectiveness of planned teaching programme in enhancing the knowledge and practices of respondents.

 

Section C:- Association of pre test knowledge and practices scores with the selected demographic variables. There was significant association of pre test knowledge scores with age and mother’s education. There was significant association of pre test Practice 1 (regarding oral hygiene) scores in educational status of student.

 

LIMITATIONS:

The only limitation with the present study was that it was limited to school children age (12-16 years) and the sample size was very small.

 

CONCLUSION:

The study findings implied that the education has a vital role in improving the knowledge and practices of the students regarding oral hygiene. School education is an integral part of medical and dental services. Nurses can play an important role in health educational programme. Making children a channel for disseminating the health information to the families and the communities. Since Today’s students are tomorrow’s leaders. So they needs to be strengthened with the treasure of knowledge and practices especially with health related issues. The present study concluded that the planned teaching programme proved to be effective in increasing the knowledge and practices regarding oral hygiene.

 

DISCUSSION:

Okemwa KA et al 2010⁴ reported that  39.9% of the students have the knowledge of causes of tooth decay, while 16.5% knew the importance of teeth and 92% of the students claimed that they have unhealthy practices. Sarwar AFM et al 2012⁵ found that 66.8% school children have bad practices who use the non tooth brush (manjan) and 33.2% have good practices who use the tooth brushes. Shenoy RP, Sequeira PS.⁶ 2010 reported that  Plaque and Gingival knowledge score were highly significant in intervention schools, and having association with source of information. When oral hygiene practices were evaluated, highly significant changes were seen in intervention schools; more significantly in schools receiving more frequent interventions.

 

 

Table 1: Overall Pre test and Post test Mean, median, standard deviation and mean difference of knowledge and Practices score on oral hygiene among school children. (N=100)

S. no	Aspect	Pre Test			Post Test			Mean difference	Paired t-test
		Mean	Median	SD	Mean	Median	SD
1.	Knowledge	13.05	12	3.546	24.24	26	4.714	11.19	23.099*
2.	Practice-1 (Regarding oralhygiene)	37.60	38	5.805	47.86	50	6.462	10.260	23.122*
3.	Practice-2 (Brushing Technique	4.85	5	1.336	7.94	8	1.613	3.090	17.290*

*=Significant (p-<0.05)

 

 

NURSING IMPLICATIONS:

·        Nurses who working in community should have enough knowledge about oral hygiene of children; they should be a keen observer since the children cannot  speak out their needs.

·        Demonstration and Posters can be displayed on the importance of the correct technique of brushing in the selected schools to increase the knowledge and practices of the community.

 

RECOMMENDATIONS:

·      The study can be repeated on the large scale sample to validate and for better generalization of the findings.

·      Descriptive and experimental study can be conducted to assess knowledge, attitude and practice of school children regarding oral hygiene.

·      Comparative study may be conducted to find out the similarities or differences between the knowledge and practices of urban and rural school children.

 

REFERENCES:

1.     Park K. Essentials of Community Health Nursing.edi-21,Banarsidas Bhanot Publishers;2012.

2.     Bali R.K, Narayanan A, Mathur VB, Talwar PP, and Chanana H.B. National oral health survey and fluoride mapping, 2004 July;30(5):24-25 [Accessed Oct 2 2012]

3.     P Baral, C Bhattarai, Poudel PP. International Dental Journal. 2007;2(1):92-94 [Accessed May 21 2012]

4.     Okemwa KA, Gatungi PM, Rotich JK, Oral health knowledge and oral hygiene practices among school children.2010 Sep;7(2):22-24[Accessed Feb 12 2011]  

5.     Sarwar AFM, KabirMH, Rahman AFMM, Haque A, Kasem MA, Ahmad SA, Debnath PK, Mallick PC, Hoque MM, Hossain KA, Khan SI, Ahmed AHHU, Parveen S. Oral hygiene practice among the primary school children.2012 Jan;18(1):234-237 [Accessed March 20 2013]

6.     Shenoy RP, Sequeira PS, Effectiveness of a school Planned teaching program in improving oral health knowledge and oral hygiene practices and status of 12- to 13-year-old school children, Apr-Jun 2010;21(2):253-259[Accessed Feb 28 2012]

 

 

Received on 29.03.2017           Modified on 21.07.2017

Accepted on 19.09.2017    © A&V Publications all right reserved