Knowledge & Practice of Mothers Regarding Weaning Practices & Frequency of Common Dental Problems among School Going Children of District Peshawar Pakistan
Main Article Content
Abstract
Background: Weaning practices have strong role in the growth and development of children. Moreover, the common dental problems reflect the weaning practices and food patterns among the children and community.
Objective: To assess the knowledge and practice regarding weaning practices, and to estimate the frequency of common dental problems.
Place and duration of study: By the Department of Community Medicine, Khyber Medical College, Peshawar, in collaboration with THQ Hospital Shujabad Multan, Pakistan, from September 2019 to February2020.
Study Design: A cross-sectional descriptive study
Methodology: A total of n=211 mothers were included to assess the knowledge, and weaning practices. Due to patient compliance, a convenience sampling technique was used. The data was collected through structured questionnaire and results were analyzed and presented in form of tables.
Results: Among the study participants (n=211); 53.55% were in age range of 25-35 years, 68.72% were house-wives; and 80.09% were literate.Approximately, 80.09% were practicing weaning, 90.52% started weaning at 4 to 6 months, 43.13% continued weaning for 2 years, 59.24% gave mixed weaning food;83.41% and 55.50% of mothers knew the importance and correct timings for starting weaning practices respectively; and 43.13% know the correct duration of weaning. Moreover, 84.98% of school going children had common dental health problems.
Conclusion
Most of the mothers had satisfactoryknowledge, and were following adequate weaning practices. Moreover, most of the school going children showed common dental problems of tooth decay, peri-odontal diseases, tooth erosion, and tooth sensitivity. Furthermore, it was revealed that age of mothers, and their education status has strongly influenced the knowledge, and weaning practices of mothers; and thus comprehensive interventions are needed from the relevant sectors to increase the knowledge of mothers regarding weaning practices and to reduce morbidity and mortality among going children.