Master's thesis - Parent’s knowledge and Attitudes Toward Oral Health in Their Children with Down Syndrome in Benghazi

Abstract

Background : Down syndrome (DS) is an autosomal chromosomal abnormality that results from chromosome 21 and affects 1 in 700 live births. In addition to causing abnormalities in many tissues and organs, The risk of giving birth to a child with DS is highest among women who are 35 years of age or older, and many studies on the incidence of DS found that the rate of dental caries is less, in contrast to periodontal disease . Main aim: To assessment of parental knowledge and attitudes toward oral health in their children with Down syndrome in Benghazi Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at rehabilitation centers dealing with DS on the parents of their children from government and non Government Association in Benghazi was included in the study. A self-generated questionnaire was used to collect information in two sections through 27 questions related to the patient's socio-demographic and medical information and oral health care to assess the knowledge and attitude of the parents about the oral health in their children with Down syndrome. Chi-square test of proportions was used to compare the differences between variables of demographics with the knowledge and attitude of the parents. Values were considered statistically significant at alpha ≤ 0.05. Results: There were 102 parents total; 67 (65.7%) had males, 35 (34.3%) had females, 36 (35.3%) had parents between the ages of 40 and 49, and 28.4% of parents are 60 years of age or more. There was a statistically significant relationship between the age, fathers and mothers education and taken their children to a dentist (p≤0.05). There was a statistically significant difference between the frequency of helping the children brush their teeth and age of parents (p≤0.05). There was non a statistically significant difference between gender, and mother's occupation and helping children brushing their teeth p > 0.05. Conclusion: Most parents rated the general health of their child as moderate and very good. There is a significant statistical relationship between age, father's and mother's education, xii sectors, and taking their children to a dentist. There is no significant statistical relationship between age, gender, income, father's education, mother's occupation, sectors, and daily tooth brushing. Parents of individuals with Down syndrome need high-level information and guidance to take proper care of affected individuals and need education programs to promote positive attitudes by increasing the knowledge about oral health care.