The Effect of an Educational Strategy on Mothers’ Knowledge and Practices Regarding Their Children’s Oral Health

TL;DR

An educational strategy improved mothers' knowledge and practices about their children's oral health in Colombia.

Contribution

The study demonstrates the effectiveness of a mixed-mode educational intervention on maternal oral health knowledge and practices.

Findings

Mothers showed statistically significant improvements in knowledge and practice scores after the intervention.

Effect sizes ranged from moderate to large, indicating meaningful changes in behavior and understanding.

Subgroup analyses suggested post-intervention changes across sociodemographic variables, though results were exploratory.

Abstract

Background/Objectives: The assessment of knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) has been utilized to establish effective strategies for improving oral health in various communities. This study evaluated the effect of an educational strategy on mothers’ knowledge and practices regarding their children’s oral health. Methods: A before-and-after design was conducted in Santander, Colombia. The educational strategy was delivered through interactions with mothers via face-to-face and digital modalities. A structured questionnaire related to oral health knowledge and practices was administered before and after the educational intervention. Descriptive and paired tests were applied to observe statistically significant differences (before–after). Per-Protocol Analysis (PPA) and Intention-to-treat (ITT) analysis were performed. Ethical approval was obtained (CEBIC, 2022). Results: Fifty-eight mothers participated (median age 27 ± IQR 7 years). Observed pre–post changes were observed in the knowledge and practice dimensions, with statistically significant increases in scores and a shift from lower to higher performance categories (p < 0.001). Effect sizes ranged from moderate to large (r = 0.34–0.96), although their magnitude should be interpreted cautiously. ITT analysis showing significant changes, despite the loss of follow-up. Subgroup analyses suggested post-changes across several of the sociodemographic variables. Given the small sample size and cell counts in some categories, these analyses should be considered exploratory. Conclusions: Pre–post analyses showed changes in knowledge and practices related to children’s oral health. However, the quasi-experimental design limits causal inference and the findings should be interpreted as changes associated with the intervention. Further research and intervention alternatives are recommended from multiethnic and multicultural perspectives.

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