Electronic Theses and Dissertations (Masters)

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    Caregiver's oral health knowledge, attitudes and practices towards children with special health care needs in Harare Province, Zimbabwe
    (University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2023-11) Mashanda, Vimbai; Tootla, Saidah; Malauy, Cathrine
    Background: Children with Special Health Care Needs (CSHCN) are prone to oral diseases such as dental caries and periodontal disease. This is due to limitations in oral hygiene practices because of their debilitating conditions. Therefore, caregivers play a major role in the maintenance of CSHCN’s oral health. As a result, caregiver’s oral health knowledge and attitudes are important to ensure that the oral health of CSHCN is maintained. Aim and Objectives: The aim of this study was to describe the caregiver’s oral health knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) towards CSHCN. The objectives of the study were to determine the caregiver’s demographic profile, to assess the caregiver’s oral health KAP towards CSHCN and to assess whether there is a relationship between the caregiver’s level of education, demographic characteristics, and oral health KAP and factors related to oral health practices. Methods: A quantitative cross-sectional study design and convenience sampling method was utilised. Caregivers above 18 years of CSHCN who attended support group meetings in Harare Province, Zimbabwe and were willing to participate, took part in the study. A modified self-administered questionnaire (SAQ) was used for data collection. The SAQ comprised of a demographics section for the caregiver, child’s disability type and oral health KAP questions. Two sample t-tests and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was used to compare the means of caregivers KAP. Multiple linear regression model was used to assess the association between caregivers’ KAP and demographic characteristics. Only the variables with p<0.15 in the univariate model were included in the multiple linear and multivariate logistic regression models. Multivariable logistic regression was used to assess the association between caregivers’ oral health practice and demographic characteristics. Apriori variables such as age, level of education, knowledge and attitude were selected for all multivariable logistic models. All variables with p<0.05 were considered to be statistically significant and statistical analysis were performed using Stata. Results: The response rate was 76.8% n=295). Almost 90% (89.2%, n=263) of the caregivers were females and nearly three quarters (72.5%, n=214) were mothers. A third (33.6%, n=99) of the caregivers were aged between 31-40 years. Fifty-three percent (n=157) of the caregivers were unemployed and 61.7% (n=182) were educated up to high school level. Forty-six percent (n=135) of the CSHCN had cerebral palsy. Out of the 295 caregivers, 45.4% (n=134) had fair oral health knowledge, 79.7% (n=235) had a good attitude towards oral health and 62% (n=183) had fair oral health practices. Conclusions: Most of the caregivers had good oral health attitude, however their knowledge and practices were fair. Factors associated with caregivers’ attitude were their knowledge and level of education, and the caregivers’ practices were associated with knowledge and attitude.