ASSESSMENT OF A PROGRAMME FOR PROMOTING CARIES-FREE CHILDREN

Abstract

This study aims to test the efficacy of an oral health promotion programme starting from pregnancy in increasing the mother’s self- efficacy to maintain their childrens oral health.

Methods: In this nonrandomised-controlled study the self-efficacy and behaviour of the intervention group was compared with a control group after two intervention phases of the program. The intervention group consisted of expectant mothers living in a low socioeconomic area of Izmir-Turkey. All women who were pregnant between April- June of 2013 (N=289) were invited to take part and the participation rate was 85.8% (N=248). The second phase was performed in 2014 when the babies were 6-9 months with a participation rate of 69.4%. Both phases were in culture centres located in the area where oral health of mothers were examined, tooth brushing instruction and interactive group education was given. 68.6% (n=118) of mothers who attended the first two phases came to third phase when the babies were 18-24 months old in 2015 and completed a questionnaire before the educational activities. The mothers of children of the same age (N=189), from a similar socioeconomic status, living in another part of the city with a participation rate of 59.8% were the control group (N=113). The percentages of the answers given by the groups were compared using Chi-square test. Ethical approval was obtained from Ege University Ethics Committee (No:13-2.1/18) and signed consents were taken.

Results: There was no difference on education levels, years spend in Izmir, social and healthcare insurance between two groups. There was a statistically significant difference (p<0.05) among groups on percentage of partcipants whose mother tongue was not Turkish (control N=59, 52.2%; intervention N=41, 34.7%). 83 (70.3%) of the mothers in the intervention and 37 (32.7%) in the control group believed that they could prevent their children’s teeth from developing caries (p<0.05). The percentage of mothers who reported that they could clean their children’s teeth before going to bed everynight was significantly higher in the intervention group (intervention N=90, 76.3%; control N=62, 54.9%) (p<0.05) but the difference was lost due to childrens resistance to performing the task. Similarly the significant difference on not giving any other drink then water during sleep (N=77, 65.3%) and avoid giving sugary snacks (N=87, 74.4%) in the intervention group disapeared with children’s persistent crying or interference of the husband/mother-in-law. In the intervention group, 38 mothers (32.2%) reported that they didn’t give any sugary snacks, 51 mothers (43.2%) never fed their children during sleep and 31 mothers (26.3%) cleaned their children’s teeth during last week. The results in the control group were 22 (24.8%), 65 (57.5%) and 10 (8.8%) respectively (p<0.05).

Conclusions: The intervention study improved the self-efficacy of mothers on their children’s oral health but showed that there was a greater need to support them against obstacles.