Effectiveness of “Oral Health Care for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder Module” in Improving Tooth-Brushing Practice among Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder in Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia
https://doi.org/10.47836/mjmhs.19.1.11
- Author:
Roslina Mohd Fadzillah Mah
1
;
Normastura Abd Rahman
1
;
Munirah Mohd Adnan
1
;
Norzila Zakaria
2
Author Information
1. Dental Public Health Unit, School of Dental Sciences, Health Campus, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 16150 Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, Malaysia
2. Department of Psychiatry, School of Medical Sciences, Health Campus, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 16150 Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, Malaysia
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Oral health care module, Autism spectrum disorder, Caregivers, Tooth-brushing, Behavioural problems
- From:Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences
2023;19(No.1):71-79
- CountryMalaysia
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Introduction: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is associated with behavioural problems which may affect children’s
oral health statuses. Caregivers have crucial roles in caring for these children’s oral health. Thus, this study is aimed
to evaluate the effectiveness of the Oral Health Care for Children with ASD (OHASD) Module in improving caregivers’ tooth-brushing difficulties in children ASD. Methods: Quasi-experimental study on caregivers of children with
ASD aged 7 to 12 years who were registered at the Psychiatry Clinic Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), Kelantan. The sociodemographic data obtained, and behavioural problems were assessed. Tooth-brushing difficulties were
evaluated at pre- and six months post-intervention using OHASD Module. Data were analysed using IBM SPSS 26.0.
Results: A total of 32 Malay children with ASD including their caregivers participated in this study. Caregivers were
mostly mothers (78.1%) and children were mostly boys (84.4%), with mean age (SD) of 39.1 (4.19) and 8.8 (1.52)
years respectively. Parent-reported questionnaire using the Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers (M-CHAT)
showed 65.6% of children were highly sensitive to noises, 53.1% sometimes stared at nothing or wandered without
purpose and 59.4% were unable to imitate caregivers’ faces. Significant differences between pre- and post-intervention for items; children who liked to close their mouths, turn their heads in different directions, did not understand
the purpose of tooth-brushing (P<0.05). Conclusion: OHASD Module is useful in assisting caregivers in practising
daily tooth-brushing of children with ASD.
- Full text:11.2023my1411.pdf
