1

EDITORIAL BOARD
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

DR. KOLA OLAFINHAN

MANAGING EDITOR

DR. A. E. TALABI

ASSISTANT EDITOR

MR. O. T, IBRAHIM

BOARD MEMBER

PROF. L. EMIOLA

PROF. E. A. OGUNSAKIN

DR. A.A. ADESOYE

DR. O. OBIYEMI

DR. O. OYERINDE

CONSULTING EDITORS -

PROF. J. A. ADEDEJI

PROF. F. AMUCHIE

PROF. C. O. UDOH

EDITORIAL NOTE
The Ilorin Journal of Health, Physical Education and Recreation
(IJOPHER), is out with a new look and a new mandate. We dare our
contributors to send scholarly articles to our journal and in return we
will produce a quality journal.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Editorial note
1.

Home-based Approach for Managing the Woman affected by HIV/AIDS:

Implications for Health Education and Promotion.
Ibrahin, A. Njodi & David W. Bwala. & Olaitan, O. Lanre
1

2.

Sexual Behaviour and Contraceptive Practices among

Pre-marital Adolescent Students in Ondo Metropolis
J. O. Fawole, C.F Akinnubi (MRS) J.A Adegboyega
6

3.

Efficacy of Partitioned Pyramidal Structure of Sports Programme for

High Performance in Nigeria - A. I. Kabido
12

4.

Prospects and Problems of Indigenous Soccer Coaches in Nigeria

Toro Abayomi

5.

17

Physical Fitness Lifestyle Among Public Servants in Ekiti State, Nigeria

J. A. Adegun

6.

22

Parental practice and Food Preference of Parents and School Children in

Ilorin LGA of Kwara State - Oyerinde, O. O. & Owojaive, Sunday Oni
26

7.

A Comparative Analysis of College Athletes Performance in Two

Separate
Muscular Endurance Tests - Ajayi-Vincent O.B

32

8.

Perceived Consequences of Corporatistic Model of Organisation of

Sports
for Sports Development in Nigeria - Mohammed Baba Gambari
36
9.

A Comparative Study of Attitudes of Secondary School Teachers

Towards
the Teaching of Physical Education in Ilorin East LGA- Bakinde, S. T
40
10.

Socio-cultural Perspectives of Sports Participation - S. O. Babatunde

43

11.

Dietary Attitude of University of Ilorin Athletes

Dominic, O. L. Mrs,) and Onifade, O.A
51

12.

Students Perception of Examination Malpractice - Nman Aihaji

Habeeb
13.

57

Knowledge of AiDS Among Athletes in Ilorin Metropolis - S.O. Oniyangi

62

14.

Attribution of Maternal Mortality by Women from High and Low

Socio-economic Status in Southern States of Nigeria
Daisy Inyingi Dimkpa

15.

68

Oral Hygiene Practices and Prevalence of Dental Caries Among School

Children in Oyo State - Olaitan, O. Lanre

16.

74

Attitude of College of Education Lecturers to their Professional Roles

and Duties. B. UAkano & A. T Akinsola

79
17.

Sexual Harassment Among Athletes in Higher Institutions in Ilorin

Kwara

State -

Tajudeen

Olanrewaju

Ibraheem

&

Bola,

O.

Ogunsanwo 84
18.

Disabilities in Children: A Perspective C. O. Adegbite

90

19.

Bicycling: A Sport that Threatens Manhood B. O. Asagha

96

20.

Physiological Effects of Havard Bench Steps as Regular Aerobic

Exercise
Training Program in the Treatment of insulin-dependent Diabetics.
Gwani, J.A. & Muhammad M. S, & Chado
101
21.

Relationship Between Lifestyles and Health Problems Suffered by the

People
of Kaduna State Shehu Raheem Adaramaja & comfort O.
Adegbite 107

22.

Recruitment of Volunteers as Aids to the Adapted Physical Educators

in Nigeria Schools for the Handicapped - K Lafinhan
115

23.

Mental Health for Job Demands among Nigerians: The Place of Health
Education and Consultation Programmes T.I. Izevbigie
120

24.

The Interplay of Health Lifestyles in the Control of Osteoposis

- E.O. Agwubike
126

ORAL HYGIENE PRACTICES AND PREVALENCE OF DENTAL

CARIES AMONG SCHOOL CHILDREN IN OYO STATE
BY
OLAITAN, O. LANRE
DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICAL AND HEALTH EDUCATION,
UNIVERSITY OF ILORIN, ILORIN NIGERIA
ABSTRACT
The study investigated the oral hygiene practices and
prevalence of dental caries among school children (6 12 years). The
study used 246 boys and 231 girls, which were randomly selected from
9 public primary schools in three socio-economic areas in Oyo State. In
all 202 (42.3%) pupils do not brush their teeth, with significant
differences in the different socio-economic areas. The prevalence of
dental caries was 62.1% with no significant sex difference. Health
education programme such as, brushing of teeth twice daily, especially
at night before going to bed to improve oral hygiene practices was
therefore recommended.
INTRODUCTION
Dental caries is a highly prevalent chronic sugar-dependent
infectious disease, affecting calcified tissue of the tooth and causing
demineralization of the inorganic portion with subsequent destruction
of the organic substance (McDonald, Stookey & Avery, 2004). Treating
carious tooth does not mean the tooth will return to its original state.
Adekele (1998) opined that dental caries is a progressive, irreversible
bacterial damage to the teeth in the mouth.
It is generally believed that three factors play a role in the
development of dental caries; they are the host, the agent and the

environments. Fejerskov (2003) believed that these factors interact to

produce a variety of dental diseases at varying rates and intensities.
The factors contributing to these variations could either be cultural,
genetic, or environmental in nature. Dental caries has a worldwide
distribution, regardless of sex, age and socio economic level.
Sheiham (2002) & WHO (2004) opined that dental caries is
increasing over time, especially since the relatively recent economic
growth, which has resulted in an increased consumption of refined
sugar. It is higher in many developed countries than in other
developing countries (Tamari, 1994). Lack of awareness of about oral
hygiene practices has also contributed to the increase in dental caries
(WHO, 2004).
The purpose of this study was to investigate the oral hygiene
practices and the prevalence of dental caries, and the various social
and behavioural factors related to these problems among school
children in Oyo State.

Hypothesis
Ho1: There is no significant difference in the toothbrushing behaviours
among the school children in three socio-economic areas of Oyo
State.
Ho2: There is no significant difference in the dental caries among the
school children in three socio-economic areas of Oyo State.

Ho3: There is no significant difference in the educational status of the

parents of the school children in three socio-economic areas of
Oyo State.

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METHODOLOGY
This cross-sectional survey was conducted between April 4th,
2004 and June 3rd 2004. Using a multistage sampling technique, the
public primary schools were listed as found in different areas of the
state used according to different socio economic levels:
higher social areas (area one, Agodi GRA in Ihadan North LGA)
middle social areas (area two, Taki in Ogbomoso North LGA)
lower social areas (area three, ljaiye-Orile in Akinyele LGA).
Simple random sampling technique was adopted to choose the schools
and classes. Two schools were selected in area one, because of
the limited number of schools there, while the study covered four
schools in areas two, and three in area three, because of the
large number of schools there. The sample was selected by
cluster sampling in area one (i.e all the pupils in primary three
classes were taken), and systematic sampling in the second and
third areas (i.e only some of the pupils were taken) because of
the large number of classes, in order to ensure a stratified
sample with regards to the class, area and sex.
The diagnostic criteria of WHO regarding oral health surveys was
used (WHO, 2004). The detail of aim and type of the study was
explained to the headteachers and teachers of the schools, then
classes and pupils were chosen as described before. The pupils were
informed about the nature and purpose of the study. The researcher

11

interviewed each child and the two-trained research assistants, using a

specially prepared validated and pretested questionnaire This was
followed by an oral examination under good illumination. Other
demographic data of the pupils were obtained from the pupils files
available in schools.
The pupils were divided into two subjective groups namely; the
tooth brushing group and the non-tooth brushing group according to
their tooth brushing behaviour. The tooth brushing group was further
subdivided into three subjective subgroups as follow first those who
regularly brushed their teeth at night to keep the teeth clean from food
debris during night hours, second group are those who brushed their
teeth in the morning only for cosmetic reasons rather than decreasing
the teeth and third group are those who brushed at other times.
RESULTS
In all, 477 pupils were examined for dental caries and oral
hygiene practices. 246 boys and 231 girls, similar levels of pupils were
taken from each area, since all the pupils used were in primary three
(see table I).
The differences in the educational status of parents in the three
areas were statistically significant (at P < 0.00), which is clearly
indicative of the difference in socio economic levels in the different
areas of the study (see

table 2).

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Area
One (high socioeconomic
level)
Two (middle socioeconomic
level)
Three (low socioeconomic
level

No
%
No
%
No
%
No
%

Total

Boy
s

Girl
s

Total

83

77

78

75

160
33.5
153

85

79

246

231

Tooth Brushing Behaviour

Dental Caries

No

No

33
20.6
60

Nigh
t
42
26.3
19

Mornin
g
33
20.6
31

Othe
r
55
34.4
44

65
35
61

95
59.4
92

321
164

39.0
109

14.1
7

20.3
23

28.3
24

39.9
55

60.1
109

34.4
477
100

66.5
202
42.3

4.3
68
14.3

14.0
87
18.2

14.6
123
25.8

33.5
181
37.9

66.5
296
62.1

Table 2: Chi-Square(X2) results on toothbrusbing behaviours, dental caries

and educational status of parents
N=477

Toothbrushing behaviour

Calc. x2
value
118.6

18.5

Dental caries

3.412

5.99

Parents education status

97.8

12.59

Variable

df

Crt. Value

Decision on Ho
Highly significant @
P < 0.005
Not significant @
P < 0.005
significant @
P < 0.005

Number of children

Figure 1: Presence of dental caries according to toothbrushing status

13

Yes

Table 1 revealed that 202 (42.3%) pupils did not brush their
teeth. In area one, (20.6%) pupils did not brush their teeth, whereas in
area two 60 (39.0%) did not brush their teeth, and area three had
highest number of non toothbrushers with 109 (66.5 AU types of
tooth brushing behaviour were in descending order according to the so
status of each area.
Amongst all, regular night toothbrushers were 68 (14.3%) of the
477 pupils, while 87 (18.2%) brushed in the morning only: 123 (25.8%)
brushed at other times.
Of the 68 regular night toothbrushers, only 6 (8.8%) had brushed
for more the years: the majority 39 (57.4%) had been brushing for less
than 2 years.
The prevalence of dental caries in this sample was 62.1% (95.3%
CI 58.6 65 one or more tooth might be decayed in the same child.
The prevalence and the number of carious teeth were greater in
area three (66. than the others. Areas one and two had a similar
overall prevalence of dental caries (59.4% and 60.1% respectively).
The difference was not statistically significant P> 0.05(see table 2).
However, among the 202 pupils who did not bush their teeth, 67
(33.2%) had no dental caries, compared with 116 of 278 (4 1.7%) for
all those who brushed. The difference in dental caries between nontoothbrushers and toothbrushers was statistically significant at P<
0.005(see figure 1 and table 2).

14

DISCUSSION
Toothbrushing:

This

study

revealed

that

the

practice

of

toothbrushing was not satisfactory among subjects for the reason that
a large numbers of pupils (42,3%) of the sample did not brush their
teeth at all. Although area three had the largest number of the nontoothbrushers.
Toothbrushing behaviour among the pupils was strongly related
to the parental education and their socio economic statuses. This could
be attributed to the awareness created by continuous parental
instruction and/or to the imitation behaviour of these children, as the
children of parents in high socio economic level and those with parents
who had higher education brushed their teeth regularly.
Dental Caries: The prevalence of dental caries in this study was
slightly higher among boys than girls, which differs from. other studies
(Legler, Al-Alousi & Jamison, 1996). Although, the difference was not
statistically significant. Dental caries, was encountered less frequently
among the toothbrushing group, a finding in line with Holt, Joels &
Winter (1992) and Legler. et al (1996). The higher prevalence of dental
caries in area three is not in line with the finding of Olsson (1999)
which showed more dental caries in the teeth of children from high
socio economic levels than those with of lower socio economic levels.
The results however, simulate the situation in industrialized countries,
where dental problems, including dental caries, are more common in

15

the lower social classes, this may probably due to greater use of
artificial feeding in infancy, the ability to afford sweets and refined
sugars, ignorance, and poor oral hygiene practices (Holt, et al, 1992;
WHO, 1997 & Truin et al, 1993).

CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

This study shows that dental caries among the school children is
dependent on the toothbrushing behaviour and general oral hygiene
practices of the pupils. It is therefore recommended that parents
regardless of their socio economic levels should emphasize regular
toothbrushing habits for their children in the morning and especially at
night before going to bed, so as to make the mouth be free of the food
debris which could cause the tooth to decay. Teachers are also
implored to engage in health education campaign to ensure that
children adhere to the good oral hygiene practices so as to avert this
irreversible dental health problem.

16

REFERENCES
Adeleke, W (1998). Care of baby teeth. Lagos: Adadis publishers.
Fejerskov, O. (2003). Concepts of dental caries and their
consequences for understanding the disease. Community Dentistry
and Epidemiology, 29, 15-22.
Holt, R; Joels, D & Winter, G.B (1992). Caries in preschool
children. The Camden study . British Dental Journal, 153, 107 109.
Legler, D.W.; Al-Alousi, W & Jamison, H.C. (1996). Dental caries
prevalence in secondary school children in Iraq. Journal of Dental
Research, 67, 1998 2004.
McDonald, R.E.; Stookey G.K. & Avery D.R. (2004). Dental caries
in he child and adolescent. In McDonald RE. & Avery D.R. (Ed.),
Dentistry for the child and adolescent, (9th Ed.). p. 219-263. St Louis:
CV Mosby Company.
Olsson, B. (1999). Dental health situation in privileged children in
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Community Dentistry and Oral Epidemiology, 9,
71 76.
Sheiham, A. (2002). Dental caries in underdeveloped countries.
In Guggenheim, B (Ed.) Cariology today. . P 33-39.Basel: Karger Press.
Tamari J.W (1994). An assessment of oral disease among primary
school

children

in

Lebanon

.1.

Assessment

of

dental

caries.

International Dental Journal, 24, 407415. Truin, G.J; Konig, K.C. &

17

Kaisbeek, H. (1993). Trends in dental caries in the Netherlands.

Advances in dental Research, 7. 1, 15 8.
WHO (2004). Preventive methods and programmes for oral
diseases. Geneva World Health Organization, (WHO Technical Report
Series, No. 713), http:llwww.who.ch
WHO (1997). Oral health surveys. Basic methods, (5th Ed),
Alexandria, World Health Organization Regional Office for the Eastern
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