Oral health of children in Islamic boarding schools of Pakistan: review of a mixed method study
1
Institute of Public Health, Federation University Australia, Melbourne, Australia
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):A3644
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Oral diseases affect half of world population yet oral health services are not distributed in equitable manner1. Islamic boarding school (IBS) attendance represents a substantial proportion of children in Muslim countries including Pakistan, yet there has been little focus on their oral health (OH)2.
OBJECTIVES:
This study aimed to explore OH among children attending Islamic boarding schools in Pakistan through OH literacy (OHL), OH hygiene habits (OHH), OH-seeking behaviour (OHSB), OH-related quality of life (OHRQoL) and associated factors.
METHODS:
A cross-sectional survey was conducted at four IBS in Lahore (May-June 2024). The children aged 12-17 years who were able to read and write in the Urdu language were asked to respond to self-reported questionnaire about their OH. Focused-group discussions (FGDs) and semi-structured interviews with teachers and parents were conducted in the qualitative part.
RESULTS:
A total of 534 adolescents participated, mean age was 15.37±1.63 and 49.6% were girls. 74% had never visited a dentist, 24% were unable to afford dentist fee, 56% had no plans of seeking dental treatment, 58% reported bleeding gums, 95% brushed regularly, and 59% were consuming sugary products. Mean scores were calculated as: OHS 13.44 ± 4.64, OHL 17.55±5.14 and OHRQoL 99.4 ±23.44. Both parents and teachers believed that dentists were expensive and often provided substandard treatment; that it was difficult to secure an appointment with a high-quality dentist; and that dental problems could be treated using homemade remedies.
CONCLUSIONS:
These results suggests that majority of children had not visited a dentist and were unaware of the importance. Improving OHSB in IBS students is crucial to promoting good oral hygiene. Religiously and culturally appropriate health promotion strategies could be incorporated into the school curriculum to increase awareness.
Oral diseases affect half of world population yet oral health services are not distributed in equitable manner1. Islamic boarding school (IBS) attendance represents a substantial proportion of children in Muslim countries including Pakistan, yet there has been little focus on their oral health (OH)2.
OBJECTIVES:
This study aimed to explore OH among children attending Islamic boarding schools in Pakistan through OH literacy (OHL), OH hygiene habits (OHH), OH-seeking behaviour (OHSB), OH-related quality of life (OHRQoL) and associated factors.
METHODS:
A cross-sectional survey was conducted at four IBS in Lahore (May-June 2024). The children aged 12-17 years who were able to read and write in the Urdu language were asked to respond to self-reported questionnaire about their OH. Focused-group discussions (FGDs) and semi-structured interviews with teachers and parents were conducted in the qualitative part.
RESULTS:
A total of 534 adolescents participated, mean age was 15.37±1.63 and 49.6% were girls. 74% had never visited a dentist, 24% were unable to afford dentist fee, 56% had no plans of seeking dental treatment, 58% reported bleeding gums, 95% brushed regularly, and 59% were consuming sugary products. Mean scores were calculated as: OHS 13.44 ± 4.64, OHL 17.55±5.14 and OHRQoL 99.4 ±23.44. Both parents and teachers believed that dentists were expensive and often provided substandard treatment; that it was difficult to secure an appointment with a high-quality dentist; and that dental problems could be treated using homemade remedies.
CONCLUSIONS:
These results suggests that majority of children had not visited a dentist and were unaware of the importance. Improving OHSB in IBS students is crucial to promoting good oral hygiene. Religiously and culturally appropriate health promotion strategies could be incorporated into the school curriculum to increase awareness.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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