A KAP (Knowledge, Attitude and Practice) Study on Oral Hygiene Among School Going Children in and Around Palayamkottai Government Schools

Abstract

Health is a basic right enjoyed by every person, and oral health is an integral part of health. Childhood is an important stage in life where a child begins to display reflexes that promote general hygiene habits. It is important to have a good oral health status in order for a child to have self-esteem, self-confidence, as well as to concentrate in class. Knowledge and attitude of parents promote oral hygiene habits in children. An application of basic health surveys in oral health presents a sound foundation in evaluating the oral health status of a given population, as well as its needs in the future. The objective of the present study is to access the knowledge, attitude, and practice of school children towards oral hygiene. In this descriptive study, a total of 350 school children from Government Schools in and around Palayamkottai were recruited. A closed-ended questionnaire was used as a data collection instrument in the present survey. In general, the participants had low knowledge, good attitude, and low practice regarding oral health. There exists a weak positive correlation between the three variables: knowledge, attitude, and practice. The evaluation of the KAP status of the people will be helpful in conducting an evaluation in the future. Moreover, it will assist public health administrators in evaluating the effectiveness of public health programs planned in a particular area.