Investigation of Preventive Behaviors of Early Childhood Caries among Mothers Referring to Comprehensive Health Service Centers in Ahvaz

Introduction: Early Childhood Caries (ECC) is a worldwide disease that is increasing in many developing countries. The purpose of this study was to investigate the preventive behaviors of early childhood caries among mothers referring to comprehensive health service centers in Ahvaz.Methodology: The present study was a descriptive-analytical and cross-sectional study that was performed between ۳۱۸ mothers with infants from ۶ months to one year in ۲۰۲۰. The method of data collection was a researcher-made questionnaire whose reliability and validity were confirmed. It included demographic information and questions about measuring awareness, attitude,self-efficacy and performance in preventive behaviors of early childhood caries among mothers referring to comprehensive health service centers in Ahvaz. After entering the data in SPSS statistical software and using statistical tests such as Anova, T-test and Pearson correlation coefficient, the data were analyzed.Results: The results of this study showed, the mean scores of mothers' awareness were ۶.۲۳±۱.۸۶, attitude was ۳۸.۴۸±۴.۸۵, self-efficacy was ۲۰.۹۱±۳.۱۴ and performance was ۵.۵۳±۲.۱۹. There was a significant correlation between awareness, attitude, self-efficacy and performance. There was also a significant relationship between parents' awareness and education and mother's job (P <۰.۰۵).Conclusion: According to the results of this study based on moderate awareness and performance, and good attitude and self-efficacy of mothers and on the other hand the key role of mothers in preventive of early childhood caries, increasing mothers information through training classes in comprehensive health service centers and health bases are recommended.

Keywords:

Early Childhood Caries (ECC) , Prevention , Infants , Mothers