KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND PRACTICE OF INTERDENTAL CLEANING AND FLOSSING AMONG STUDENTS IN LAGOS STATE UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF MEDICINE, IKEJA.

Abstract

Abstract
Background
Oral health disease has become of increasing concern in low and middle-income countries including Nigeria. Interdental cleaning and flossing are self-care practices known to prevent oral diseases. This study was conducted to assess the knowledge, attitude and practice of interdental cleaning and flossing among students in the Lagos State University College of Medicine, Ikeja, Lagos.
Methodology
A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 167 medical, dental, nursing and physiology students at the Lagos State University College of medicine, Ikeja. The sample size was determined using……. Via multi-stage sampling, a self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data which was analysed using SPSS software version 22. Ethical approval for the study was obtained from Lagos State University Teaching Hospital’s Health Research Ethics Committee prior to conduct of the study.

Results
Most of the respondents (69.3%) were female, 30.7% were male, 62.7% were in medicine and surgery, 15.7% were in Physiology while the rest were Nursing students. Three quarters (75.9%) of respondents had good knowledge of interdental cleaning and flossing while 140 (84.3%) had a positive attitude towards it. However less than half (47%) of the respondents cleaned their teeth with interdental cleaning aids and 44.6% used dental floss for oral hygiene. There was a statistically significant association (p< 0.05) between respondents’ attitude and their knowledge of interdental cleaning and flossing. Their knowledge had a significant effect on their attitudes and practices of interdental cleaning and flossing.
Conclusion
The respondents were highly knowledgeable about interdental cleaning and flossing with positive attitudes as well. However, practice of interdental cleaning and flossing was low. Targeted interventions to improve oral care practices are recommended.