ORAL HEALTH KNOWLEDGE AND ATTITUDE AMONG CAREGIVERS OF SPECIAL HEALTH CARE NEEDS CHILDREN AT SPECIAL EDUCATION SCHOOLS IN PESHAWAR: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Objectives: To assess the oral hygiene knowledge, practice and attitude among the caregivers of the special health care need children in Peshawar.Materials and Methods: About 128 participants took part in this study. A validated self-administered questionnaire was used to evaluate and record the oral health knowledge and attitude of caregivers (Parents and Teachers) of the special children. The questionnaire contained a total of 22 questions, each correct question was scored 1 and incorrect was scored 0. The caregivers then were ranked according to their score achieved. The exclusion criteria of caregivers are those who did not want to participate in the study and an experience of less than 2 years. The inclusion criteria for the caregivers having at least primary school education for the parents and bachelor’s degree for the school teachers. Results: Our study result showed that the association between child relation and knowledge level was statistically significant (P = 0.003). Regarding gender, no significant association was observed between gender and knowledge level (P = 0.672). Concerning age, no significant association was found between age and knowledge level (P = 0.473). A significant association was observed between qualification and knowledge level (P = 0.003). Pearson’s correlation test was used to analyze the data collected.Conclusion: Association between the child relationship and knowledge levels were statistically significant. No significant association was found between age and gender with knowledge levels. A significant association was observed between qualification of the caregivers and oral health knowledge.