Oral Health Knowledge, Attitude and Practices among Adolescents in Choma District of Zambia

Introduction: Dental caries and periodontal diseases are the most common oral diseases globally. Early control of oral health behaviours is important because lifestyles acquired during adolescence are powerful predictors of adult health. We conducted a study to determine knowledge, attitude and practices on oral hygiene among school going adolescents in Choma District. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted among school going adolescents in randomly selected schools in Choma District. A total of 335 participants were included in the study. Data were collected using a closed-end self-administered questionnaire. The sample size was distributed among the six schools in the ratio of their population. The study included anyone from grade 8-12. Data were analysed using IBM software for SPSS. We employed the Chi-Square test to investigate association between variables. A p-value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The study had 173 males and 162 females in the age range of 12-19 years. The majority (87.8%) had good knowledge, 69.4% had good attitude and 87.5% had good practice on oral -hygiene. Practice was influenced by sex with females having good oral hygiene as compared to their male counterparts. About 97.2% thought that dental health education is essential in schools. 34% indicated that they had visited the dentist when they experienced toothache. However, parental advice 11% (n=39) to visit the dentist regularly was low. The majority 49.9% (n=167) indicated that they had not visited the dentist due to fear of the dental equipment set up. Conclusion and recommendation: Despite the majority having good knowledge and attitude and on oral hygiene, there is need to acquaint children with milling and dental units found in most dental offices. This may instil confidence in children to seek specialist dental treatment whenever they develop any dental disease. Further, parents need to be incorporated as partners in promoting oral health hygiene among school going adolescents.