Knowledge, Attitude and Practice on Oral Hygiene among Students of Allied Health Sciences: A Cross-Sectional Study

Omama Shahid; Hamza Zafar; Meerab Ilyas; Muhammad Junaid; Muhammad Amad; Imad Ullah

doi:10.65293/jbkcd.v1i01.3

Authors

Omama Shahid Lecturer, The Professional Institute of Health Sciences, Mardan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan.
Hamza Zafar College of Medical Technology CMT, Mardan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan.
Meerab Ilyas Doctor Institute of Health Sciences, Mardan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan.
Muhammad Junaid Institute of Health Sciences, Khyber Medical University, Mardan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
Muhammad Amad Institute of Health Sciences, Khyber Medical University, Mardan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
Imad Ullah Institute of Health Sciences, Khyber Medical University, Mardan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.65293/jbkcd.v1i01.3

Keywords:

Oral Hygiene, Knowledge, Attitude, Practice, Dental Care, Allied Health Students, Preventive Dentistry

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) regarding oral hygiene among students in the allied health sciences and to identify key predictors influencing oral hygiene behavior.

Study Design: A Cross-sectional Study

Place and Duration of the Study: The study was conducted from February 2022 to October 2022 in public and private institutions offering Allied Health Sciences in Mardan, Pakistan.

Methodology: A total of 630 students were recruited using a stratified convenience sampling approach. A validated, self-administered questionnaire evaluated oral hygiene knowledge (15 items), attitudes (10 Likert-scale items), and practices (10 binary items). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, correlation tests, and multiple linear regressions. A p-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results: Most students demonstrated an adequate understanding of oral hygiene, with 92.1% recognizing the importance of brushing twice daily and 88.9% acknowledging the detrimental effects of smoking. Positive attitudes were common, yet preventive practices varied: 73.0% brushed twice daily, only 41.3% used dental floss, and 34.9% visited the dentist annually. Regression analysis revealed that knowledge (β = 0.32, p < 0.001), attitude (β = 0.48, p < 0.001), age (β = 0.08, p = 0.001), and urban residence (β = 0.10, p = 0.013) significantly predicted oral hygiene behavior, whereas gender was not a significant factor.

Conclusion: Despite high knowledge and favorable attitudes, gaps remain in preventive oral hygiene practices among allied health students. Targeted oral health education, behavioral modification strategies, and institutional support are necessary to enhance oral health outcomes in this population.

Author Biography

Omama Shahid, Lecturer, The Professional Institute of Health Sciences, Mardan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan.

Corresponding Author: shahidumama94@gmail.com

References

1. Kandasamy G, Almeleebia T. Assessment of Oral Health Knowledge, Attitudes, and Behaviours among University Students in the Asir Region—Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study [Internet]. Available from: https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9032/11/23/3100

2. Subait AA. Knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to oral health among university students in Saudi Arabia; A cross-sectional study. J Dent Oral Disord [Internet]. 2017;3(6). Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.26420/jdentoraldisord.2017.1080

3. Gupta S, Saxena S, Sikka N, Bhatia G. Oral health attitude, knowledge, and behaviour of dental students of Jaipur, Rajasthan: A comparative study. J Indian Assoc Public Health Dent [Internet]. 2015;13(4):459. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.4103/2319-5932.171179

4. Sen N, Mandal A, Bhat N, Asawa K, Sultane P, Chhabra S, et al. Oral health-related knowledge, attitude, and practices among patients attending the department of public health dentistry of a dental hospital in Udaipur, India. Int J Prev Clin Dent Res [Internet]. 2017;4(1):43–9. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.5005/jp-journals-10052-0079

5. Azodo CC, Ezeja EB, Omoaregba JO, James BO. Oral health of psychiatric patients: the nurse’s perspective: Nurses’ perspective on oral health. Int J Dent Hyg [Internet]. 2012;10(4):245–9. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1601-5037.2011.00537.x

6. Alkalash SH, Alfaqih AE, Alkinani AI, Alzahrani HM, Alrufaydi MH, Alqarni RS, et al. A cross-sectional study on the knowledge, attitudes, and oral hygiene practices of secondary school students in Al-Qunfudah district, Saudi Arabia. Cureus [Internet]. 2023;15(6):e40337. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.7759/cureus.40337

7. Reddy V, Bennadi D, Gaduputi S, Kshetrimayum N, Siluvai S, Reddy CVK. Oral health related knowledge, attitude, and practice among the pre-university students of Mysore city. J Int Soc Prev Community Dent [Internet]. 2014;4(3):154–8. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.4103/2231-0762.142012

8. Bashiru B, Omotola O. Oral health knowledge, attitude and behavior of medical, pharmacy and nursing students at the University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria. J Oral Res Rev [Internet]. 2016;8(2):66. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.4103/2249-4987.192209

9. Lamont T, Worthington HV, Clarkson JE, Beirne PV. Routine scale and polish for periodontal health in adults. Cochrane Database Syst Rev [Internet]. 2018;12(4):CD004625. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD004625.pub5

10. Wahengbam PP, Kshetrimayum N, Wahengbam BS, Nandkeoliar T, Lyngdoh D. Assessment of oral health knowledge, attitude and self-care practice among adolescents - A state wide cross-sectional study in Manipur, North Eastern India. Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research. 2016;10(6):C65-70.

11. Dixit P, Shakya L, Shrestha A, Shrestha M. Dental caries prevalence, oral health knowledge and practice among indigenous Chepang school children of Nepal. BMC Oral Health. 2013;13(1).

12. Al-Zain AO, Fakhry LM, Tallab RA, Natto ZS. Attitude, practice, and knowledge regarding fluoridated toothpaste, brushing, and rinse usage among residents of Jeddah city in Saudi Arabia. Patient Prefer Adherence [Internet]. 2023;17:23–39. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.2147/PPA.S389413

13. Nishi M, Harding M, Kelleher V, Whelton H, Allen F. Knowledge of caries risk factors/indicators among Japanese and Irish adult patients with different socio-economic profiles: a cross-sectional study. BMC Oral Health [Internet]. 2017;17(1). Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s12903-017-0345-x

14. Tadin A, Poljak Guberina R, Domazet J, Gavic L. Oral hygiene practices and oral health knowledge among students in split, Croatia. Healthcare (Basel) [Internet]. 2022;10(2):406. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/healthcare10020406

15. Komu P, Dimba EAO, Macigo FG, Ogwell AEO. Cigarette smoking and oral health among healthcare students. East Afr Med J [Internet]. 2009;86(4):178–82. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.4314/eamj.v86i4.46948

16. Carneiro L, Kabulwa M, Makyao M, Mrosso G, Choum R. Oral health knowledge and practices of secondary school students, tanga, Tanzania. Int J Dent [Internet]. 2011;2011:806258. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2011/806258

17. Cheng R, Yang H, Shao M-Y, Hu T, Zhou X-D. Dental erosion and severe tooth decay related to soft drinks: a case report and literature review. J Zhejiang Univ Sci B [Internet]. 2009;10(5):395–9. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.1631/jzus.b0820245

18. Masanja IM, Mumghamba EGS. Knowledge on gingivitis and oral hygiene practices among secondary school adolescents in rural and urban Morogoro, Tanzania. Int J Dent Hyg [Internet]. 2004;2(4):172–8. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1601-5037.2004.00096.x

19. Chisnoiu RM, Delean AG, Muntean A, Rotaru DI, Chisnoiu AM, Cimpean SI. Oral health-related knowledge, attitude and practice among patients in rural areas around Cluj-Napoca, Romania. Int J Environ Res Public Health [Internet]. 2022;19(11):6887. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19116887

20. Farsi NJ, Merdad Y, Mirdad M, Batweel O, Badri R, Alrefai H, et al. Oral health knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors among university students in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Clin Cosmet Investig Dent [Internet]. 2020;12:515–23. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.2147/CCIDE.S272986

21. Okoroafor CC, Okobi OE, Owodeha-Ashaka M, Okobi E, Oluseye B, Ekpang OB, et al. Dental health knowledge attitude and practice among university of Calabar students. Cureus [Internet]. 2023;15(6):e40055. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.7759/cureus.40055

22. Alzammam N, Almalki A. Knowledge and awareness of periodontal diseases among Jordanian University students: A cross-sectional study. J Indian Soc Periodontol [Internet]. 2019;23(6):574–9. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.4103/jisp.jisp_424_18

23. Lang WP, Ronis DL, Farghaly MM. Preventive behaviors as correlates of periodontal health status. J Public Health Dent [Internet]. 1995 Winter;55(1):10–7. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1752-7325.1995.tb02324.x

24. Jiang R, Yu J, Islam R, Li X, Nie E. Dental caries prevention knowledge, attitudes, and practice among patients at a university hospital in Guangzhou, China. Medicina (Kaunas) [Internet]. 2023;59(9). Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/medicina59091559

25. Selvaraj S, Naing NN, Wan-Arfah N, Prasadh S. Confirmatory factor analysis of knowledge, attitude, and behaviour questionnaire towards oral health among Indian adults. J Pers Med [Internet]. 2021;11(4):320. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/jpm11040320