Knowledge and Attitudes of Parents Regarding Digit Sucking Habit in Children in Pune: A Questionnaire-based Cross-Sectional Study
Introduction: Digit sucking is a most common oral fixation observed in children, which involves placement of thumb or fingers into the mouth. Knowledge of the risk factors for the presence of this habit helps to provide a better understanding of the phenomena and is of great significance to the...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
JCDR Research and Publications Private Limited
2023-07-01
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| Series: | Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.jcdr.net/articles/PDF/18145/62371_CE[Ra1]_F(IS)_PF1(AG_KM)_PFA(AG_KM)_PN(KM).pdf |
| Summary: | Introduction: Digit sucking is a most common oral fixation
observed in children, which involves placement of thumb or
fingers into the mouth. Knowledge of the risk factors for the
presence of this habit helps to provide a better understanding of
the phenomena and is of great significance to the establishment
of preventive measures, which can avoid the damage caused
by the persistence of these habits.
Aim: To evaluate the knowledge and attitude of parents of
children aged between 3-6 years regarding digit sucking habit.
Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried
out in the Department of Paediatric and Preventive Dentistry,
belonging to urban and semiurban area of Pune, Maharashtra,
India from December 2020 to May 2021. A total of 310 parents
of children, aged between 3-6 years were included. A closeended questionnaire was administered to parents to assess
their knowledge and attitude regarding digit sucking habit in
children. Completely filled questionnaires were considered
for result synthesis. The data obtained was tabulated and
descriptive data were statistically analysed using software
International Business Machines (IBM) Statistical Package for
the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 21.0.
Results: Although 229 (73.9%) of parents agreed that for
achieving good oral health prevention of digit sucking habit
is essential, but 197 (63.5%) parents were unaware of the
predisposing factors for digit sucking habit. A total of 195 (62.9%)
parents did not agree that inadequate parental attention may lead
to thumb sucking habit. A total of 197 (63.5%) parents agreed
that prolonged digit sucking can cause misaligned teeth but
majority of the parents 205 (66.1%) and 166 (53.5%) disagreed
on its effects on facial growth and speech respectively. A total
of 219 (70.6%) parents did not receive any scientific information
or counselling from healthcare worker regarding sucking habit.
A total of 299 (96.5%) of parents agreed that guidance from
healthcare workers is needed regarding oral habits in children.
Conclusion: Present study concluded that the attitude towards
learning about digit sucking habit was good the knowledge of
the study participants was poor. |
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| ISSN: | 2249-782X 0973-709X |