Knowledge, attitude, and practice regarding oral health of children among ASHA and Anganwadi workers- A descriptive study.

Abstract

ASHA and Anganwadi workers are the main healthcare workers who train and spread awareness regarding oral health in common public. This study was designed with an aim to analyze the knowledge, attitude, and practice regarding oral health of children among ASHA and Anganwadi workers. This was a questionnaire based cross-sectional study conducted in Anganwadi centers and primary health care centers following permission from required authorities. 200 study participants 100 Anganwadi and 100 ASHA workers were selected using random sampling method. The study purpose was explained to all the participants. A pre-validated study questionnaire designed in local language was distributed which collected information on demographics parameters like age, education and working experience. The Anganwadi and ASHA health workers were then assessed for knowledge, attitude, and practice of oral hygiene, dental diseases, and measures for prevention both before intervention and 6 months following training on oral hygiene. The oral hygiene status of children trained by ASHA and Anganwadi was assessed by analyzing the OHI-S index, modified OHI-S index, debris index, plaque, and calculus indices at beginning and at sixth month interval by a trained dental hygienist. All observations were recorded in Microsoft Excel worksheet. Data was obtained as mean and standard deviation scores and were analyzed by statistical software, SPSS version 20.0 (IBM, USA). Independent <i>t</i>-test and cross tabulations were used for result analysis. <i>P</i> values which were found to be less than 0.05 were statistically significant. Statistically significant differences in index scores were observed in all scores i.e. <i>P</i> = 0.01 (Plaque index), <i>P</i> = 0.01 (Debris Index), <i>P</i> = 0.01 (Calculus Index), <i>P</i> = 0.04 (OHI-S index) and <i>P</i> = 0.05 (Modified OHI-S index) following training to these workers. ASHA and Anganwadi workers are important in spreading awareness regarding oral health that is often neglected. This study showed that training these health workers directly benefits the population in terms of better health care.