Oral health-related taboos and oral health status among a South Indian Tribal population: A descriptive study

Introduction: Health being a biological and social entity makes an important contribution to economic progress. Though we live in the 21st century still many underserved communities are lacking to adopt healthy lifestyles. One of many reasons would be religious convictions such as taboos, myths, or...

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Main Author: Vikram Simha Bommireddy
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2023-01-01
Series:Journal of Indian Association of Public Health Dentistry
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.jiaphd.org/article.asp?issn=2319-5932;year=2023;volume=21;issue=1;spage=82;epage=86;aulast=Bommireddy
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author Vikram Simha Bommireddy
author_facet Vikram Simha Bommireddy
author_sort Vikram Simha Bommireddy
collection DOAJ
description Introduction: Health being a biological and social entity makes an important contribution to economic progress. Though we live in the 21st century still many underserved communities are lacking to adopt healthy lifestyles. One of many reasons would be religious convictions such as taboos, myths, or misbeliefs. Aim: This study aims to assess the periodontal status, and to comprehend the myths and misconceptions among adults in Jeelugumilli Mandala, West Godavari district, Andhra Pradesh. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study design was used among 12 panchayats in which 29 villages were present in Jeelugumilli Mandal. Out of 29 villages one village was selected by convenience sampling as it is a manageable unit which represents rural population. Oral examination was done using community periodontal index (CPI) and loss of attachment for those individuals who met inclusion criteria. A valid questionnaire was used to quantitate about social myths and taboos. Pearson's Chi-Square and descriptive statistics were applied to the collected data and level of significance was set at P ≤ 0.05 for the tests. Results: A statistically significant difference was observed in CPI scores among males and females (P = 0.024), those who brush their teeth once daily and those who brush twice (P = 0.005) and high significance was seen among those who consume alcohol and those who do not (P < 0.001). For loss of attachment scores high significant difference was found among tobacco chewers and nonchewers, those who brush once daily and twice daily (P < 0.001). Conclusion: Most of the misbeliefs were seen among illiterates and rural population. Hence, there is a need to improve the level of education as well as knowledge related to health, among these groups for overall improvement of health related quality of life.
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spelling doaj.art-59a7c7f4939341e5bc4ec40bd4ccc5942023-07-21T11:43:56ZengWolters Kluwer Medknow PublicationsJournal of Indian Association of Public Health Dentistry2319-59322350-04842023-01-01211828610.4103/jiaphd.jiaphd_55_22Oral health-related taboos and oral health status among a South Indian Tribal population: A descriptive studyVikram Simha BommireddyIntroduction: Health being a biological and social entity makes an important contribution to economic progress. Though we live in the 21st century still many underserved communities are lacking to adopt healthy lifestyles. One of many reasons would be religious convictions such as taboos, myths, or misbeliefs. Aim: This study aims to assess the periodontal status, and to comprehend the myths and misconceptions among adults in Jeelugumilli Mandala, West Godavari district, Andhra Pradesh. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study design was used among 12 panchayats in which 29 villages were present in Jeelugumilli Mandal. Out of 29 villages one village was selected by convenience sampling as it is a manageable unit which represents rural population. Oral examination was done using community periodontal index (CPI) and loss of attachment for those individuals who met inclusion criteria. A valid questionnaire was used to quantitate about social myths and taboos. Pearson's Chi-Square and descriptive statistics were applied to the collected data and level of significance was set at P ≤ 0.05 for the tests. Results: A statistically significant difference was observed in CPI scores among males and females (P = 0.024), those who brush their teeth once daily and those who brush twice (P = 0.005) and high significance was seen among those who consume alcohol and those who do not (P < 0.001). For loss of attachment scores high significant difference was found among tobacco chewers and nonchewers, those who brush once daily and twice daily (P < 0.001). Conclusion: Most of the misbeliefs were seen among illiterates and rural population. Hence, there is a need to improve the level of education as well as knowledge related to health, among these groups for overall improvement of health related quality of life.http://www.jiaphd.org/article.asp?issn=2319-5932;year=2023;volume=21;issue=1;spage=82;epage=86;aulast=Bommireddymisconceptionsmythsoral healthtabootribal
spellingShingle Vikram Simha Bommireddy
Oral health-related taboos and oral health status among a South Indian Tribal population: A descriptive study
Journal of Indian Association of Public Health Dentistry
misconceptions
myths
oral health
taboo
tribal
title Oral health-related taboos and oral health status among a South Indian Tribal population: A descriptive study
title_full Oral health-related taboos and oral health status among a South Indian Tribal population: A descriptive study
title_fullStr Oral health-related taboos and oral health status among a South Indian Tribal population: A descriptive study
title_full_unstemmed Oral health-related taboos and oral health status among a South Indian Tribal population: A descriptive study
title_short Oral health-related taboos and oral health status among a South Indian Tribal population: A descriptive study
title_sort oral health related taboos and oral health status among a south indian tribal population a descriptive study
topic misconceptions
myths
oral health
taboo
tribal
url http://www.jiaphd.org/article.asp?issn=2319-5932;year=2023;volume=21;issue=1;spage=82;epage=86;aulast=Bommireddy
work_keys_str_mv AT vikramsimhabommireddy oralhealthrelatedtaboosandoralhealthstatusamongasouthindiantribalpopulationadescriptivestudy