Knowledge and Perception of Fluoride in Drinking Water among Residents of Precinct 9, Putrajaya, Malaysia (Pengetahuan dan Persepsi Fluorida dalam Air Minuman dalam Kalangan Penduduk Presint 9, Putrajaya, Malaysia)
http://dx.doi.org/10.17576/JSKM-2023-2102-14
- Author:
FATIN NOR ATHIRAH YAHAYA
1
;
SHAHARUDDIN MOHD SHAM
1
;
VERA YULYANI
2
Author Information
1. Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
2. Department of Environmental Health, Faculty of Public Health, Universitas Malahayati, 35152 Bandar Lampung, Indonesia
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Knowledge;
perception;
fluoride;
drinking water;
Putrajaya
- From:Malaysian Journal of Health Sciences
2023;21(No.2):177-188
- CountryMalaysia
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
The knowledge and beliefs on the presence of fluoride in drinking water, its purpose and the associated health risks aids
in equate water fluoridation and effective prevention programs. Water fluoridation is a safe, effective, and necessary
method where adequate doses of fluoride is added into drinking water supplies with the target of assisting in tooth
restoration and preventing tooth decay and dental caries. Therefore, this study identifies the level of knowledge and
perception of fluoride in drinking water among residents living in Precinct 9, Putrajaya Methods: A cross-sectional,
self-administered online questionnaire was used to examine knowledge and perception of fluoride in drinking water of
240 Precinct 9 residents. Descriptive analysis was applied for socio-demographic data and Chi-square was used to
compare discrete data. All data obtained were further analyzed using SPSS Version 23.0. Results: The highest frequency
(percentage) of residents were 213 (88.8%), aged 18-64 years old, 141 (58.8%) female, 214 (89.2%) with tertiary
education background and 125 (51.1%) of them lived in Precinct 9 for more than 10 years. Of all participants, 137
(57.1%) and 83 (34.6%) have poor knowledge and medium perception regarding fluoride in drinking water respectively.
There was a significant association between those with higher education level with knowledge (p=0.02) and perception
(p=0.005) where they were more likely to know about overall fluoride in drinking water. Conclusion: Most participants
had limited knowledge and negative perception of fluoride beyond a general sense it was beneficial. It appears that in
moving forward to receive the water fluoridation support will need to attend to the challenge of anti-fluoride sentiment
influence.
- Full text:14.2023my0453.pdf
