Abstract
Aim: To study effect of educational status of Anganwadi Workers on oral health education program and its impact on improving oral health of preschool children in Muradnagar block, Ghaziabad. Materials and Methods: Study was done amongst 30 Anganwadi Centres of Muradnagar selected by simple random sampling. Sample size was calculated to be 503. Anganwadi Workers were divided into four groups depending on their educational status. Pre tested questionnaire was used to assess baseline knowledge of Anganwadi workers on oral health. Oral health education was imparted to them. Clinical examination of preschool children attending Anganwadi centres was done at baseline and after oral health education program. Data was analysed using descriptive statistics and Statistical Package for Social Sciences software version 18. Results: Mean values of knowledge scores were found to be higher in Anganwadi workers (36.7) with high educational status leading to higher improvement (76%) in oral health status of preschool children. Conclusion: Educational Status of Anganwadi Workers has a significant impact on their oral health knowledge and efficiency of improving oral health status of preschool children. Keywords: Educational status, Anganwadi workers, Pre school children.
Highlights
India is a developing country with 70% of its population living in villages.1Poor educational status is one of the major reasons for poverty stricken conditions in rural areas of Muradnagar which leads to unaffordable medical facilities in the block
Among 503 preschool children who participated in the study, 59% were girls and 46% were boys (Fig1). 9% of children were in the age group 2 to 3 years old, 51% in age group 3 to 4 years old and 40 % in age group 4 to 5 years old
One of the most commonly occurring dental diseases in preschool children is early childhood caries which may further lead to maloclussion and many other dental problems.[7]
Summary
India is a developing country with 70% of its population living in villages.1Poor educational status is one of the major reasons for poverty stricken conditions in rural areas of Muradnagar which leads to unaffordable medical facilities in the block. Primary health care services play a major role to provide the most affordable and accessible oral health care services in India. Oral health care is not the main priority in India due to which it is extremely important for us to empower primary health care workers and create a model. AWW’s have a major role to play in the nutrition and oral health of children. Attitude and Practice (KAP) of AWW’s is the most important factor in determining their role and skills in reducing early childhood caries and improving oral health of preschool children.[4] Oral Health Educational Program for primary health care workers engaging with preschool children can be a change making intervention in the community promoting oral health
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