IADR Abstract Archives
Impact of Perceivable Learning Modes on Oral Health Among Visually Impaired
Objectives: To assess changes in oral hygiene status, oral health knowledge and behavior among visually impaired individuals (VII) using dental health education material transcribed in Braille and Compressed speech (CS).
Methods: A non-randomized before and after comparison trial was conducted among four purposively selected institutes for VII in Indore region. Permission from ethical committee and consent from VII was obtained. A stratified random sampling was employed to select 144 VII aged 15-35 years. The institutes were stratified based on age and gender. Oral health education using either Braille or CS was provided to 36 randomly selected VII from each institute. A self-administered Braille transcribed proforma was used to record participants responses on oral health knowledge and behaviour at baseline, 1-week, 1-month and 3-months follow-up. Clinical parameters recorded included gingival index and Oral hygiene index-simplified. Analytical statistics employed included Mann-Whitney U-test; Wilcoxon sign rank test, paired and unpaired t-test, chi-square test and bivariate regression analysis.
Results: Mean knowledge score of VII in Braille group (3-month) was significantly higher (11.86±2.41) than CS group (8.59±2.74). VI Males on Braille had significant improvement in knowledge scores (p≤0.001). CS showed significant reduction in mean gingival score (1.02±0.73) at 3-month (p≤0.001). CS was found to be highly efficacious in improving behaviour of VI females on frequency of dental visits (p≤0.003) while VI males on Braille (55.55%) reported positive behaviour for dental visit (3-month) as compared to baseline (2.77%) [p≤0.001]. Bivariate regression showed Braille as significantly effective in improving knowledge (OR-6.02) and oral hygiene status (OR-8.24) [p≤0.001].
Conclusions: Braille intervention was more effective in improving knowledge and oral hygiene status among VII. CS was highly effective in reducing gingival inflammation. Male subjects receiving Braille showed significantly acceptable behavioural changes in frequency and fear before dental visit.
Methods: A non-randomized before and after comparison trial was conducted among four purposively selected institutes for VII in Indore region. Permission from ethical committee and consent from VII was obtained. A stratified random sampling was employed to select 144 VII aged 15-35 years. The institutes were stratified based on age and gender. Oral health education using either Braille or CS was provided to 36 randomly selected VII from each institute. A self-administered Braille transcribed proforma was used to record participants responses on oral health knowledge and behaviour at baseline, 1-week, 1-month and 3-months follow-up. Clinical parameters recorded included gingival index and Oral hygiene index-simplified. Analytical statistics employed included Mann-Whitney U-test; Wilcoxon sign rank test, paired and unpaired t-test, chi-square test and bivariate regression analysis.
Results: Mean knowledge score of VII in Braille group (3-month) was significantly higher (11.86±2.41) than CS group (8.59±2.74). VI Males on Braille had significant improvement in knowledge scores (p≤0.001). CS showed significant reduction in mean gingival score (1.02±0.73) at 3-month (p≤0.001). CS was found to be highly efficacious in improving behaviour of VI females on frequency of dental visits (p≤0.003) while VI males on Braille (55.55%) reported positive behaviour for dental visit (3-month) as compared to baseline (2.77%) [p≤0.001]. Bivariate regression showed Braille as significantly effective in improving knowledge (OR-6.02) and oral hygiene status (OR-8.24) [p≤0.001].
Conclusions: Braille intervention was more effective in improving knowledge and oral hygiene status among VII. CS was highly effective in reducing gingival inflammation. Male subjects receiving Braille showed significantly acceptable behavioural changes in frequency and fear before dental visit.