Oral health knowledge, practice and associated factors among Junior High School students of Koforidua, Ghana: a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND: Oral disease poses a significant public health burden for many countries and affects individuals throughout their lifetime, causing pain, disfigurement, impairment of function and reduced quality of life.

Among children and adolescents globally, there is a recognized trend of poor oral hygiene, attributed to the accumulation of plaque and calculus deposits that increase with age.

This study assessed the knowledge, practice and factors associated with the practice of oral hygiene among Junior High School students (JHS) in Koforidua, in the Eastern Region of Ghana.

METHODS: A school-based cross-sectional study design was conducted among 233 JHS students in Koforidua township using a multistage sampling technique.

Descriptive and inferential statistics, including frequency, percentage, and Pearson’s Chi-square test, were conducted.

The results were interpreted using tables and graphs.

RESULTS: Findings from the study revealed that more than half 126 (54.1%) of the respondents had a good level of knowledge of oral hygiene.

The majority 130 (55.8%) of them also had good oral hygiene practice.

The findings further indicated that a significant relationship was found between the class or education level of students and good oral hygiene practice (χ2 = 17.36, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION: Overall, the current study found that over half of the JHS students had good knowledge as well as practice of oral hygiene.

This reinforces the significance of oral health education and awareness campaigns, especially in school settings, to improve knowledge, attitudes, and behaviours related to oral hygiene.

The study however found only class or education level of students to be statistically associated with the practice of oral hygiene.

While other variables did not reach statistical significance, our research serves as a starting point for further investigation and exploration of the various factors that may contribute to oral hygiene practices.