Factors Influencing the Use of Appropriate Oral Disease Prevention Methods Among Students at Hoima School of Nursing, Hoima District.

Abstract

Introduction: A study to assess the factors that influence use of appropriate oral disease prevention methods among student nurses was carried out at Hoima School of Nursing. Data was collected from 13th to 24th July 2015 among students of Hoima School of Nursing. Study Objective: The objective of the study was to assess the factors that influence use of appropriate oral disease prevention methods among student nurses at Hoima School of Nursing. Methodology: The study was entirely cross-sectional descriptive which was intended to find out those factors that were responsible for use of appropriate oral disease prevention methods among students. Researcher administered questionnaires were used to collect data from 137 respondents who were students of Hoima school of nursing during the time of the study. In addition, interviews were carried to gather information from key informants. Results: Majority 75% were female respondents. Generally, respondents lacked knowledge on the common oral diseases and their appropriate prevention methods. Knowledge on the use of fluoride and the cause of gum inflammation was significant in this study. Respondents were deficient of relevant knowledge about when and how to brush teeth. In addition there were no special programmes related to oral health promotion and use of appropriate oral disease prevention methods in the school; as such, majority of the respondents had suffered from pain or discomfort arising from oral diseases. Students were commonly seen at Hoima hospital dental unit seeking for emergency dental treatment (tooth extractions) and rarely for dental check- up. Conclusion: Lack of relevant knowledge on oral disease prevention was most likely to impact on the students‟ use of appropriate oral disease prevention methods. Recommendations: Oral disease prevention should be taken to be an important aspect of nursing training since the nurses are among the front line health team and important in health protection and disease prevention. Hoima School of nursing should encourage student to attend dental check-ups at least every after six months.