Knowledge, Attitude of Mothers towards Infant Oral Healthcare in Baghdad City/ Al-Karkh

Abstract

Background: Oral health is a key pointer of overall health, and quality of life, most oral health problems arepreventable. Mothers, significantly impact their infant’s oral health and play a vital role in prevention of dentalcaries among their children.Aim of the Study: To evaluate knowledge, attitude of mothers towards infant oral healthcare in Baghdad city /Al-Karkh.Patients and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among convenient sample of 300 mothers with achild aged less than one year who were attending the primary healthcare centers in Baghdad city/ Al-Karkh. Datawere collected using a self-administered questionnaire composed of questions regarding knowledge, attitudeof mothers toward infant oral healthcare. The data analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS)version 25.Results: In this study, 88 (29.3%) of participant mothers had good knowledge, which was significantly higheramong the participant mothers aged ≥ 35 years (42.9%), live in urban areas (40.6%), highly educated (54.1%),employed (45.5%), had ≥ 3 children (41.3%), and mothers whose child aged ≥ 6 months (34.2%).166 (55.3%)ofmothers had good attitudes, which was significantly higher among the participant mothers aged between (30 – 34)years (83.3%), live in the urban areas (69.8), highly educated (91.8%), employed (81.8%,), had ≥3 children (65.1%),and mothers who had child aged ≥6 months (64.9%).Conclusions: Mothers had fair knowledge, good attitude toward infant oral healthcare. Pediatric dentists andany health care professionals like pediatricians and family physicians who care for infant need to be trained todisseminate appropriate infant oral health care information and in the prevention of early childhood caries.