Knowledge, Myths and Practices of Teething among Nigerian Mothers in a Rural Area Knowledge, Myths and Practices of Teething

Abstract

Background: Teething is a normal physiological process which involves the eruption of primary teeth into the oral cavity with minimal local symptoms, but no severe systemic involvement. However, Mothers worldwide associate different severe systemic symptoms with teething and indulge in different teething practices. This misconception leads to delays in prompt diagnosis and treatment of some childhood diseases. Moreover, some of these teething practices are harmful to the children.

Objective: To assess the knowledge, myths, and practices of teething among Nigerian mothers in Pakoto, a rural Local government area in Ogun State.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted at Pakoto Primary Health Care Centre, Ifo Local Government Area (LGA). Ogun State, Nigeria. Participants were mothers who attended the immunization clinic. Knowledge, myths, and practices for teething in the participants were assessed using a well-structured, pretested, open-ended, interviewer-administered questionnaire.

Results: One hundred mothers participated in this study. The mothers’ ages ranged from 19-51 years. The majority (65%) of the mothers had a fair knowledge of teething and the level of knowledge of teething increased with increasing level of education. 81% of the mothers attributed systemic symptoms with teething. Fever (58%) was the most associated symptom and medication (75%) was the most common teething remedy used by the mothers. These remedies were either self-prescribed or prescribed by nurses in the community.

Conclusion: Very few mothers have good knowledge of teething, most of the mothers have misconceptions about teething and various practices are being done as remedies for teething. Therefore, proper education is required among these mothers.