ASSESSMENT OF DENTAL HYGIENE PRACTICES AMONG PRIMARY SCHOOL PUPILS IN HONG, GOMBI AND MAIHA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREAS OF ADAMAWA STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

This study assessed dental hygiene practices among primary school pupils in Hong, Gombi and Maiha local government areas of Adamawa State, Nigeria. A descriptive survey research design was employed with a sample of 400 pupils selected through multi-stage sampling. Data was collected using a self-developed questionnaire with a reliability coefficient of 0.75. Chi-square analysis was used to test three null hypotheses at 0.05 level of significance. The findings revealed that primary school pupils in the study area have significant positive practices towards dental hygiene (χ2 = 148.840, df = 1, p < 0.05). No significant differences were found in dental hygiene practices between urban and rural pupils (χ2 = 0.105, df = 1, p > 0.05) or based on age (χ2 = 2.381, df = 2, p > 0.05). The study concludes that primary school pupils in the study area have positive dental hygiene practices and recommends continued dental health education to maintain these practices.