Prevalence of oral habits among jiren primary school Students in jimma town, south westren ethiopia

Abstract

Background: oral habits are common in infantile period normally and most of them are started and finished, spontaneously. If they persist beyond the normal age group, they will disturb the oral health of the individuals, cause psychological stress and lead to esthetic problem of the person. They are caused by as compensation to feeling of lost, rebel, attention seeking, imitation, fear, systemic problem and occlusal interference as many pediatricians consensus. The prevalence of this problem varies from population to population, regardless of race, ethnicity or culture. The effects they cause depend on the intensity, duration and frequency of the type of habit practiced. Objective: the purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of oral habits in Jirenprimary school students, Jimma town, Ethiopia. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from June 03 to June o6, 2013 with systematic random sampling technique. The 238 sample was selected from a total of 626 students. The data was collected using face-to-face interview guided structured questioners, systematic observations and clinical examination using disposable gloves and spatulas. The collected data was analyzed using manual ways. Results anddiscussion: The result shows that the prevalence of oral habits in Jiren primary school students was 73.9%(176). Pencil/foreign body sucking 58.4%(139) was the leading oral habit practiced, followed by finger/thumb sucking 24.8%(59). similarly, a study done in 4590 Indian school students shows pencil biting as a leading oral habit practiced. The difference may be due to environmental or genetic factors. Conclusion and Recommendation: pencil/foreign body sucking was the most prevalent oral habit practiced but mouth breathing was the least.JUSH dentistry department should give OHE on the effects of oral habits to the school students and the staffs.