Relationship between self-perceived oral health problems and oral care practices among secondary school students in Ibadan

Abstract

Objective: Some methods of oral care adopted by individuals may be the cause of their self-perceived oral health problems. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of oral care practices on self-perceived oral health problems among secondary school students in Ibadan.

Methods: 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 analysed using IBM 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.

Results: 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 the females were 144 (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 believed their oral health could be improved. Statistically significant relationship was found between several self-perceived oral health problems and oral care practices such as tool used for tooth cleaning, type of dentifrice used, technique of brushing employed, time of tooth cleaning and exposure to dental health education.

Conclusion: This study showed that there is a relationship between several self-perceived oral health problems and some oral care practices employed by the respondents.