The prevalence of finger sucking habit among preschool children in Kerman, Iran

BACKGROUND AND AIM: The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of finger sucking habit among three-six-year-old children from kindergartens of Kerman, Iran. METHODS: This descriptive, cross-sectional study used census sampling to select ۱۰۰۰ children from ۴۰ kindergartens. Data was collected by a checklist and clinical examination.  Chi-square test in SPSS۱۶ was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: The prevalence of finger sucking habit was ۳.۴%. There was no statistically significant relation between gender and the habit. Pacifier sucking habit was not an influencing factor in finger sucking habit. Most children (۴۷.۰۶%) had received exclusive breastfeeding. Anterior open bite was seen in ۵۰.۰۰% of the children with finger sucking habit. CONCLUSION: This study showed the decreased prevalence of finger sucking habit compared to similar studies. This difference might have been caused by the type of feeding (about ۵۰% of the children in the present study were breast-fed).

Keywords:

Finger and Thumb Sucking , Prevalence , Oral Habits , breast-feeding