Children’s toothbrushing: a population survey on behaviours, attitudes, and knowledge in parents of Callao, Peru

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ABSTRACT

Aim

To determine the factors associated with behaviours, attitudes and knowledge of parents about children’s toothbrushing (CTB).

Methods

This is a cross-sectional analytical study of a calculated sample of 3,534 parents/guardians (92.6% female; 7.4% male; average age = 34 years [29–37]) of schoolchildren aged 3 to 8 years in 19 public schools in the province of Callao (Peru). A 31-item face-to-face/virtual questionnaire was divided into: 5 behavioural (18 (IQR)=3]; good 76%), 5 attitudes (13 [IQR=4]; negative 74.2%) and 10 knowledge (12 [IQR=4]; low 92.8%) (KMO≥0.537, Bartlett<0,001) and reliability (ω≥0.537) and 11 demographic domains. Bivariate and multivariate linear Poisson models were used with a P<0.05.

Results

Bivariate models on CTB showed higher probabilities of high attitudes and knowledge at a higher educational level (PR: 6.68 a 105.47) and frequency of toothbrushing (PR: 23.31 to 106.57) (P≤0.02). Adjusted multivariate models of CTB showed a higher probability (P≤0.01) of good behaviours in parents with higher education (PR: 1.54; 95%CI: 1.41-1.70), positive attitudes in those with a technical education (PR: 43.8; 95%CI: 6.03-318.18) and higher education (RP: 135.29; 95%CI: 136-152), daily toothbrushing 2 times (PR: 104.45; 95%CI: 14.20-768.27) and ≥3 times (PR: 65.76; 95%CI: 9.00-480.47); and greater knowledge of CTB in parents with a higher education (PR: 4485.06; 95%CI: 512.98-39213.58), daily toothbrushing 2 times (PR: 1611.12; 95%CI: 194.38-13354.04) and ≥3 times (PR: 183.08; 95%CI: 24.95-1343.19).

Conclusion

Children of parents with a higher education showed good behaviours related to CTB. Negative parental attitudes and low knowledge about CTB were associated with a lower parental education and toothbrushing frequency.

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