Evaluation of Effect of Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Parents on Dental Caries of Children With Special Health Care Need(Cshcn): a Cross-sectional Multicentric Study

Abstract Aim: -This study aimed to evaluate the association of knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of parents and its effect on dental caries of children with special health care need (CSHCN). Materials & Method: A cross sectional study was conducted on representative sample (n=116) parents of children aged 6 to 14 years who attended the special school in Rohtak, Haryana. The independent variable are age, socioeconomic statues, knowledge, attitude and practice of parents and dependent variable are dental caries experience in children. Dependent variables were measured by clinical examination by single dentist and independent variables were measured by questionnaire filled by parents. In the statistical analysis, associations between independent variables and KAP were employed using Chi-squared tests and univariant analysis. Results: The overall mean scores of Knowledge were 6.19±1.85 (range 0 - 10). The attitude score for negative statements were 3.25±1.30(range 0-13) and for the positive statement were 3.97±1.28(range 0-13). Practices are variable for analysis because there can’t be a definite practice. Knowledge was significantly associated with education and socioeconomic status of parents. In the univariate logistic analysis model it is demonstrated that the odd’s ratio of dental caries is 2.235 with fair knowledge (score 5-6) as compared to poor knowledge (<_ 4) it is 4.065. Conclusions: The overall KAP of parents toward oral health was relatively good. But it is concluded that by increasing knowledge of parents by health education and promotion we can decrease dental caries prevalence in children with special health care need (CSHCN).