Frontiers in Public Health (Oct 2024)

Oral health knowledge, attitudes, and practices among female public health and nutrition university students in Qatar

  • Amal Elwadia,
  • Aisha Naeem,
  • Shajitha Thekke Veettil,
  • Nikki Orquia,
  • Diana Alsayed Hassan,
  • Paul Amuna,
  • Alaa Daud

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2024.1405439
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 12

Abstract

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ObjectivesThe present study aimed to determine oral health (OH) related knowledge, attitudes, and practices among Public Health (PH) and Nutrition (NU) students at Qatar University.MethodA cross-sectional study was conducted using a pre-validated questionnaire comprising 36 items covering demographics, knowledge, attitudes and perception of oral health practices. Data were analyzed descriptively (means, standard deviations, proportions) and inferentially using statistical tests including t-tests for comparing means, and chi-square tests for examining associations between categorical variables.ResultsA total of 112 female undergraduate students participated, including 41 from PH and 71 from NU programs (response rate for both courses = 59.5%). The mean age was 21.8, while 23% were Qataris and 77% non-Qataris. Overall, students demonstrated good knowledge of OH (67.65%), with the PH group scoring higher (70.7%) than NU (65.35%). Knowledge regarding dental plaque was low for both groups (31.0%). Attitudes toward OH varied among participants. Most students reported practicing brushing with fluoridated toothpaste and demonstrated high knowledge regarding the association between poor OH and general health (95%).ConclusionOverall, PH and NU undergraduate students exhibited relatively good knowledge of OH, however, demonstrated a range of attitudes and practices, including suboptimal ones. Integration of OH education into the PH and NU curriculum is warranted, along with enhanced interprofessional education to promote self-awareness and improve patient oral health outcomes.

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