Non-nutritive sucking habits among preschool children in southern Saudi Arabia: A cross-sectional study

ABSTRACT

Prolonged non-nutritive sucking habits have negative effects on child’s orofacial structures, physical, social and psychological wellbeing. The objectives of the present study were (1) to determine the prevalence of non-nutritive sucking habit in Saudi preschool children, (2) to assess the factors influencing the habit, (3) to determine mothers’ view on causes of non-nutritive sucking and their reasons to stop the habit and (4) to report methods used by the mothers in eliminating the habit. This cross-sectional observational study was conducted in the kindergartens in Abha and Khamis Mushayt cities. The sample included parents of 328 male and female preschool children. A pre-piloted self-administered questionnaire was used for data collection and the response rate was 85.4%. The prevalence of non-nutritive sucking habit was 46.6%; of these, pacifier sucking was 30.2% and digit sucking was 16.4%. There were significant differences with pacifier habit between mother’s educational status and sex (p=0.008 and p=0.002 respectively). The odds of pacifier habit were higher in females [OR=2.14, 95% CI (1.32, 2.52)] and mothers with higher university education [OR=1.67, 95% CI (1.03, 2.72)]. There were significant differences with digit sucking habit and mothers’ educational status (p=0.022). The odds of digit sucking habit was higher in mothers with intermediate and secondary education [OR=2.25, 95% CI (1.24, 4.07)]. Some mothers (37.90%) used non-nutritive sucking as solution to calm the crying child, while others (47.05%) wanted to stop the habit as it might affect the child’s dentition. Some mothers (37%) interrupted the habit physically, while only 10% had preferred to consult the dentist.