Knowledge, beliefs and experiences of a cross section of mothers in Port Harcourt about teething

Abstract

Background: Throughout history, teething has been held responsible by parents and health professionals alike for a wide range of childhood illnesses like high fever and convulsion even though research suggests otherwise. Aim: The study is designed to determine the current knowledge, beliefs and experiences of a cross-section of mothers in Port Harcourt about teething. Methods: The study was conducted using a structured, anonymous open and close-ended questionnaire distributed among randomly selected female staff of University of Port Harcourt as instrument for data collection. The data was analyzed using SPSS 11.0 version. Results: The respondents do not have a good knowledge of the number of Primary (deciduous) teeth and the period teething is usually completed, but they are aware that lower central incisors usually erupt first. Most of the respondents believed that teething period is a tasking period for mothers. Fever and diarrhoea were the commonest complaints ascribed to teething. Conclusion: This initial report shows that mothers in Port Harcourt believed that the teething period is a tasking period for mothers and it is associated with major illnesses like fever and diarrhoea.

Keywords: Knowledge, Beliefs, Experiences, Mothers, Teething

PHMJ Vol. 2 (2) 2008: pp. 130-135