Knowledge, Attitude, and Practices of Anganwadi Workers Regarding Oral Health of Children in Virajpet Taluk

Abstract

ABSTRA C T Background: Oral health is an essential and leading component of children’s overall health, functional capacity, and social welfare. The anganwadi worker (AWW), the community-based voluntary frontline worker of the Integrated Child Development Services program, is formally trained for many services, including non-formal, pre-school education, which caters to the developmental needs of children between 3 and 6 years of age and primary health care to children under 6 years. Objective: The present study was conducted to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practices of AWW regarding oral health of children aged 0-6 years, by means of a self-administered questionnaire, in Virajpet Taluk of Coorg District, Karnataka. Material and Methods: A pre-tested self-administered questionnaire was distributed to the respondents. The data was statistically analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results: A total of 291 AWW took part in this study. About 69.8% of the AWW knew the appropriate eruption time for the first milk tooth, whereas only 50.5% AWW were aware that the baby’s mouth must be cleaned even before the eruption of first milk tooth. Majority of the AWW agreed that they had an important role to play when it comes to the oral health of children. Only 39.5% of the AWW reported having regularly discussed the child’s oral health with parents during home visits. Conclusion: The AWW is a force to be reckoned with. She is an agent of change in the community. AWW have a pivotal role to play as the torch bearers of oral health promotion at the grass root level. There is an urgent need to educate them regarding oral health of children.