Abstract:
Background: Oral health problems are among the most common health problems in the world affecting 60-90% of children in the world. Poor oral health, particularly in children with chronic diseases is a major cause of morbidity and it can be a risk factor for severe complications of their chronic diseases.
Objective: The aims of the study are to assess the oral health status of children with chronic diseases and the knowledge, attitude and practice of their parents/care takers towards oral health at Jimma Medical Center (JMC).
Methods: Hospital based cross sectional study was conducted on 422 parents/caregivers and 422 children with chronic illnesses at JMC pediatric follow up clinic. A consecutive sampling technique was used to select the study participants. Pretested questioner was used to assess the socio demographic factors, knowledge, attitude and practice of parents towards oral health and “World Health Organization‟s (WHO) oral health assessment tool” was used to assess the oral health status of the children. Data were entered to EPI data version 3.1 and exported to Statistical Packages for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 23 for statistical analysis. Descriptive statistics was used and findings were reported using texts and tables. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to identify independent predictors of oral health status. A p-value of <0.05 was used to declare statistically significant associations at a 95% confidence interval (CI).
Results: A total of 422 parents/care givers and 422 children with chronic diseases were included into the study. More than half (222, 52.6%) of the parents/caregivers have good knowledge. Majority (321, 76.1%)) of the parents/caregivers had good attitude towards oral health but only less than a third (126, 29.9%) of them had good practice. Out of the 422 children enrolled into the study, 145 (34.3%) had dental caries. Children from parents/care takers with poor knowledge towards oral health are 2.5 times more likely to have oral health problems than children from parents with good knowledge [AOR=2.6, 95%CI=1.49-4.39]. Children with diabetes are also twice more likely to have oral health problems as compared to children with epilepsy [AOR=1.96, 95%CI=1.04-3.68].
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Conclusion: Dental caries is a common problem among children with chronic diseases at JMC. While the attitude of parents/caregivers of children with chronic diseases regarding oral health is good, their knowledge and practice is poor.
Recommendation: Coordinated efforts between the departments of pediatrics and child health and dentistry is required to improve the knowledge and practices of the parents and care takers and the oral health status of the children with chronic diseases.
