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Background <p>Children born into prostitution often face significant barriers in accessing healthcare, including oral health services. This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of female sex workers (FSWs) regarding their school-going children’s oral health, as well as the oral health status of these children in Dhaka, Bangladesh.</p> Materials and methods <p>A cross-sectional study was conducted from March 2023 to February 2024 with a sample of 180 FSW mothers/institutional caregivers and their school-going children between ages 7 to 17. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect data on KAP. The children’s oral health was assessed using the DMFT/dmft index for caries and the gingival index (GI) for gingival health, while plaque and calculus levels were measured using the plaque index (PI) and calculus index (CI), respectively.</p> Results <p>Among the FSW mothers/ institutional caregivers, 79% had good knowledge of oral health, 77.2% displayed a positive attitude, and 62.8% were informed about proper oral health practices. FSW mothers/ institutional caregivers who had higher educational attainment were three times more likely to practice good oral hygiene compared to those with lower-educated caregivers (OR = 3.27, β = 1.11, <i>p</i> &lt; 0.05, CI = 1.36–7.87). Similarly, children whose mothers/caregivers had better oral health knowledge showed three times higher oral health practice scores compared to those with lower knowledge (OR = 3.20, β = 1.16, <i>p</i> &lt; 0.05, CI = 1.36–7.87).</p> Conclusion <p>The study suggests that while most FSW mothers and institutional caregivers possess adequate knowledge and a positive attitude towards their children’s oral health, many children, particularly those living with FSW mothers, continue to exhibit poor oral health practices. Higher educational attainment and better oral health knowledge among mothers/caregivers were key determinants of improved oral health practices in children.</p>

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Oral health knowledge, attitude and practices of Bangladeshi female sex workers toward their 7-to-17-years old children: a cross-sectional study

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

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  • 发表日期：

    2025年2月13日

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  • Afia Mahmuda Khan,
  • Sumaiya Zabin Eusufzai,
  • Taseef Hasan Farook,
  • Mehnaj Sharmin,
  • Sabrin Shohid,
  • Lameea Shahed,
  • Tabassum Zerin,
  • Diptendu Kumar Chanda,
  • Sheikh Jamal Hossain,
  • Mohammad Delwer Hossain Hawlader

摘要

Background

Children born into prostitution often face significant barriers in accessing healthcare, including oral health services. This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of female sex workers (FSWs) regarding their school-going children’s oral health, as well as the oral health status of these children in Dhaka, Bangladesh.

Materials and methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted from March 2023 to February 2024 with a sample of 180 FSW mothers/institutional caregivers and their school-going children between ages 7 to 17. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect data on KAP. The children’s oral health was assessed using the DMFT/dmft index for caries and the gingival index (GI) for gingival health, while plaque and calculus levels were measured using the plaque index (PI) and calculus index (CI), respectively.

Results

Among the FSW mothers/ institutional caregivers, 79% had good knowledge of oral health, 77.2% displayed a positive attitude, and 62.8% were informed about proper oral health practices. FSW mothers/ institutional caregivers who had higher educational attainment were three times more likely to practice good oral hygiene compared to those with lower-educated caregivers (OR = 3.27, β = 1.11, p < 0.05, CI = 1.36–7.87). Similarly, children whose mothers/caregivers had better oral health knowledge showed three times higher oral health practice scores compared to those with lower knowledge (OR = 3.20, β = 1.16, p < 0.05, CI = 1.36–7.87).

Conclusion

The study suggests that while most FSW mothers and institutional caregivers possess adequate knowledge and a positive attitude towards their children’s oral health, many children, particularly those living with FSW mothers, continue to exhibit poor oral health practices. Higher educational attainment and better oral health knowledge among mothers/caregivers were key determinants of improved oral health practices in children.