Oral Health Awareness among Secondary School Students in Enugu State

Oral health is extremely important for people of all ages and a healthy mouth is a key to living comfortably each day. Oral health problems are public health issues that can affect anybody, irrespective of age, gender and class. Oral health problem can be prevented by creating the relevant oral hygiene awareness. This study looked at oral health awareness among students in secondary schools in Enugu state, in relationship to their oral health status. Specifically, the study determines oral health awareness among three schools classified into public, faith-based/mission and public schools respectively; the factors that influence their oral health awareness and their oral health status. Three schools namely Government Technical College public school), Gateway college (private school) and Deeper Life High School (faith-based school) all in Enugu East, were selected for the study. The senior secondary school (SSS 1 to SSS 3) was specifically involved in the study. A sample size of 270 students out of a population of 910 students was selected through stratified sampling technique. The instrument for data collection was both questionnaire for oral health awareness and oral health examination for oral health status, were used. Result revealed that equal number of students 90(33.33%) was selected from each of the three schools. More male 146 (53.08%) than females 134(46.92%) were involved in the study. Those in the age group 16-18 years old were more 160(44.35%). Cumulatively, results on oral health awareness shows marginal difference in their level of oral health awareness; GTC had 32(11.85% ), Gateway College 35(12.96% ), and Deeper Life High School 33(12.22% ). On factors that influence their oral health awareness, fear and anxiety was higher 78(28.48%), followed by peer group influence 77(28.48%) and the least affordability 15(5.55%). Results of oral health status show that all the students have good oral health status, with Gateway College having fairer oral health condition. It is recommended that Post Primary Basis Education unit of Enugu state, Ministry of Education should include dental health education in the current school curriculum.