IADR Abstract Archives
Personal Hygiene among Adolescents in Malaysia: National Survey Findings in 2017
Objectives: One of the objectives of the Malaysia Adolescent Health Survey (AHS) 2017 is to assess the prevalence of hygiene practices (including oral hygiene) among Malaysian adolescents.
Methods: This cross-sectional survey was undertaken in 2017 over a 3 months period, involving schoolchildren aged 13 to 17-years-old. A two-stage cluster sample design was utilised and data was collected using a self-administered questionnaires. Data was analysed using SPSS version 22. Usage of fluoridated toothpaste, frequency of tooth brushing and hand washing before eating, after using the toilet and the use of soap were among the main measurements.
Results: For oral hygiene practice, only 58.3% of adolescents used fluoridated toothpaste and 12.8% demonstrated poor oral hygiene practice (did not brush, brushing once and less than once per day). In terms of hand hygiene practice, 11.6% had never or rarely use soap during hands washing, 6.1% had never or rarely wash hands before eating and 4.8% had never or rarely wash hands after using toilet.
Conclusions: There is a need to further inculcate good oral and hand hygiene practice in schools and at home through health promotion activities and health education among adolescents and agents of behavioural change such as school staff, parents and the public.
Methods: This cross-sectional survey was undertaken in 2017 over a 3 months period, involving schoolchildren aged 13 to 17-years-old. A two-stage cluster sample design was utilised and data was collected using a self-administered questionnaires. Data was analysed using SPSS version 22. Usage of fluoridated toothpaste, frequency of tooth brushing and hand washing before eating, after using the toilet and the use of soap were among the main measurements.
Results: For oral hygiene practice, only 58.3% of adolescents used fluoridated toothpaste and 12.8% demonstrated poor oral hygiene practice (did not brush, brushing once and less than once per day). In terms of hand hygiene practice, 11.6% had never or rarely use soap during hands washing, 6.1% had never or rarely wash hands before eating and 4.8% had never or rarely wash hands after using toilet.
Conclusions: There is a need to further inculcate good oral and hand hygiene practice in schools and at home through health promotion activities and health education among adolescents and agents of behavioural change such as school staff, parents and the public.