Abstract
Background To promote oral health in society, medical and nursing students are required to have acceptable knowledge, attitude, and practice with respect to correct maintenance and use of a toothbrush. This study explored the knowledge, attitude, and practice of Iranian medical and nursing students about the correct maintenance and use of a toothbrush. Methods A total of 260 nursing students and 320 medical students were randomly recruited. Data were collected by a researcher-made questionnaire on the knowledge, attitude, and practice about toothbrush maintenance and use. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results The mean scores of knowledge, attitude, and practice were 54.53 ± 17.18, 49.67 ± 19.17, and 19 ± 51.50 in the nursing students and 54.17 ± 21.42, 51.18 ± 87.28, and 49.87 ± 17.52 out of 100 in the medical students, respectively. There was no significant difference between the medical and nursing students in the mean score of knowledge. The medical and nursing students had a similar attitude and practice in most items of toothbrush maintenance and use. Conclusion The medical and nursing students had average knowledge, attitude, and practice regarding toothbrush maintenance and use, which is not acceptable considering their job nature. Hence, interventional measures should be taken to enhance their knowledge, attitude, and practice.
Highlights
Oral health affects different aspects of life, including physical, mental, and social health [1, 2]
Since knowledge about the principles of oral health, especially correct use of tooth brushing in medical students, is highly important and that no study has ever investigated the knowledge, attitude, and practice of nursing and medical students about toothbrush maintenance and use, the present study was designed to compare the knowledge, attitude, and practice of nursing and medical students about toothbrush maintenance and use. e results of this study can be helpful to the health authorities and policymakers in adopting necessary interventional measures
Regarding the attitude of the medical and nursing students toward toothbrush maintenance and use, the findings showed the median and interquartile range (IQR) of each group were 50 and 33.33, respectively. e results of the Mann–Whitney U test indicated no significant difference between the medical and nursing students’ total scores of attitude toward toothbrush maintenance and use (Table 2). e comparison of the frequency of responses to different questions of attitude section showed the medical and nursing students had a similar attitude toward toothbrush maintenance and use in all items except the effect of material on the life of toothbrush (p 0.012)
Summary
To promote oral health in society, medical and nursing students are required to have acceptable knowledge, attitude, and practice with respect to correct maintenance and use of a toothbrush. is study explored the knowledge, attitude, and practice of Iranian medical and nursing students about the correct maintenance and use of a toothbrush. To promote oral health in society, medical and nursing students are required to have acceptable knowledge, attitude, and practice with respect to correct maintenance and use of a toothbrush. Is study explored the knowledge, attitude, and practice of Iranian medical and nursing students about the correct maintenance and use of a toothbrush. E mean scores of knowledge, attitude, and practice were 54.53 ± 17.18, 49.67 ± 19.17, and 19 ± 51.50 in the nursing students and 54.17 ± 21.42, 51.18 ± 87.28, and 49.87 ± 17.52 out of 100 in the medical students, respectively. E medical and nursing students had a similar attitude and practice in most items of toothbrush maintenance and use. E medical and nursing students had average knowledge, attitude, and practice regarding toothbrush maintenance and use, which is not acceptable considering their job nature. Interventional measures should be taken to enhance their knowledge, attitude, and practice
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