Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices on Oral Health Among Secondary School Students in Bangladesh: A Cross-sectional Study
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.61561/ssbgjms.v7i01.140Keywords:
Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice, Oral Health, AdolescenceAbstract
Introduction: Oral health is a fundamental component of general health, influencing nutrition, speech, self-esteem, and overall quality of life. Poor oral hygiene among adolescents can lead to dental caries, periodontal disease, and other long-term complications. Adolescence is a critical period for establishing lifelong oral health behaviours, yet knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) regarding oral hygiene are often inadequate. This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to oral health among secondary school students in Bangladesh.
Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among 458 secondary school students from selected urban and rural schools in Bangladesh over six months from January 2025 to June 2025. Students from classes VIII to X were included. A multistage sampling technique was employed in this study. Data were analysed using SPSS version 25.0.
Result: Among 458 secondary school students, most were aged 15–16 years (44.1%), slightly more were female (52.2%), and the majority were from rural areas (58.3%). Knowledge of fluoride was low (46.7%). Attitudes were generally positive, but preventive practices were suboptimal: only 40.0% brushed twice daily, 43.2% used fluoridated toothpaste, and 31.9% visited a dentist in the past year. Good knowledge and positive attitudes were significantly associated with better oral hygiene, and females and urban students showed higher adherence to recommended practices (p < 0.05).
Conclusion: The study revealed that secondary school students in Bangladesh possess moderate knowledge and mostly positive attitudes toward oral health, but their preventive practices are inadequate, with a large proportion brushing less than twice daily and seldom visiting a dentist. Both knowledge and attitude were significantly linked to better oral hygiene behaviours, and students who were female or from urban areas showed higher compliance with recommended practices.
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