Work

Hand and Oral Hygiene Practices among Adolescents in Dominican Republic, Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago: Prevalence, Health, Risk Behavior, Mental Health and Protective Factors

Year: 2020

Type: article

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: The study aimed to estimate the prevalence and correlates of oral hygiene (OH) and hand hygiene (HH) behavior among school adolescents in three Caribbean countries. METHOD: In all, 7476 school adolescents (median age 14 years) from the Dominican Republic, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago responded to the cross-sectional Global School-Based Student Health Survey (GSHS) in 2016-2017. RESULTS: The prevalence of poor OH (tooth brushing < 2 times/day) was 16.9%, poor HH (not always before meals) was 68.2%, poor HH (not always after toilet) was 28.4%, and poor HH (not always with soap) was 52.7%. In the adjusted logistic regression analysis, current cannabis use, inadequate fruit and vegetable intake, poor mental health, and low parental support increased the odds for poor OH. Rarely or sometimes experiencing hunger, trouble from alcohol use, inadequate fruit and vegetable intake, poor mental health, and low parental support were associated with poor HH (before meals and/or after the toilet, and/or with soap). CONCLUSION: The survey showed poor OH and HH behavior practices. Several sociodemographic factors, health risk behaviors, poor mental health, and low parental support were associated with poor OH and/or HH behavior that can assist with tailoring OH and HH health promotion.

Source: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health

DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17217860

Authors: Supa Pengpid, Karl Peltzer

Institutions: Mahidol University, University of Limpopo, University of the Free State

Language: English

Topic: Dental Health and Care Utilization

Subfield: Periodontics

Field: Dentistry

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,429