Determinants of knowledge, attitude, and practice regarding oral hygiene and sugar consumption among adolescents: A cross-sectional analysis
Department of Public Health and Informatics, Jahangirnagar University, Dhaka, Bangladesh.
Research Article
International Journal of Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences Archive, 2026, 12(01), 089–099.
Article DOI: 10.53771/ijbpsa.2026.12.1.0070
Publication history:
Received on 30 June 2026; revised on 06 August 2026; accepted on 10 August 2026
Abstract:
Oral diseases are prevalent preventable non-communicable diseases, and adolescence is a vital era for the establishment of dental hygiene and eating habits. The present study investigated the knowledge, attitude and practices (KAP) about dental hygiene and sugar intake among school going teenagers in a largely rural area. A school-based cross-sectional analytical study was carried out among 423 adolescents from one public and one private secondary school. Data were obtained using a structured self-administered questionnaire that included sociodemographic factors, oral-health knowledge, attitude, oral hygiene practices and sugar consuming behavior. Composite scores were calculated and classified into adequate knowledge, positive attitude, good practice and high sugar consumption. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, reliability analysis, chi-square, multivariable logistic regression and multicollinearity testing. The results revealed that 71.2% of the participants had acceptable knowledge, 55.1% had favorable attitudes, 80.3% had good dental hygiene practice, and 75.7% indicated high sugar consumption. Higher maternal education was an independent predictor of adequate knowledge. Female gender and rural residency were predictors of positive attitude. Number of siblings was an independent predictor of excessive sugar consumption. After correction, no sociodemographic characteristic was an independent predictor of good practice. The study found rather good awareness and cleanliness habits stated, but increased sugar consumption continued to be a key behavioral problem. Interventions at school and family level should target dental hygiene and nutritional risk behaviors.
Keywords:
Oral Hygiene; Adolescents; KAP; Sugar Consumption; Dental Caries; Rural Health; Maternal Education.
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