Association between intelligent quotient and oral health conditions among 13-15 year old intellectually disabled children.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to assess the relationship between intelligence quotient and oral health conditions among intellectually disabled children. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 13-15 year old intellectually disabled children at National Institute of Mental Health, Hyderabad. The survey comprised of classification of intellectually disabled children based on their intelligent quotient (IQ) levels along with clinical oral examination using World health organization (WHO) oral health assessment form (2013). Statistical analysis was done using SPSS 21.0. p<0.05 was statistically significant. RESULTS: The mean age of study participants was 13.73 ± 3.04 years. Based on IQ levels, majority of the participants had moderate retardation (41.8%) and when oral health problems were compared, greater than 50% had gingivitis with mean DMFT scores of 2.48 ± 2.1. A significant higher mean DMFT scores were observed with profound retardation (4.74 ± 2.17) (p=0.000) whereas greater preponderance for oral health problems was observed among moderately retarded subjects. CONCLUSIONS: Overall majority of the study participants were moderately retarded children and had gingivitis. The higher mean DMFT score was observed with profound retardation with statistical significance. However, Greater percentage of oral health problems were among moderately retarded children. Hence intellectually disabled children should be encouraged to take care about oral health themselves under the guidance of their care takers.

A Cross-sectional Study to Assess Factors that Determine Tobacco Habit Initialization and Cessation and Oral Cancer Awareness among General Population of Vikarabad District, Telangana.

AIMS: The aim of the study was to assess factors that determine tobacco habit initialization and cessation and oral cancer awareness among the general population of Vikarabad district, Telangana. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The current study was a cross-sectional study conducted among the general population of the Vikarabad district. All tobacco users satisfying inclusion criteria of age 18-40 years and at least 1 year of tobacco usage were included in the study. Multistage random sampling was followed to select tobacco users and structured, pretested questionnaires were distributed. The populations mean age was 30 years with majority being rural residents and men contributing the majority of the study population. RESULTS: The mean age at which a person begins to smoke was 20.4 ± 5.7 years among the general population. Peer influence (77%) was reported as one of the major reasons, and habit formation was found to be the major factor (55.6%) for continuing tobacco and also work stress (17%) and relaxation (17%). The primary reason for quitting was fear or awareness of the adverse effects of tobacco. Self-abstinence was reported as a predominant method that they followed to quit tobacco habit during the past year, while 16.3% reported that they did not give it a try. About 58.6% of participants were advised by a health-care provider to quit tobacco, respectively. A major proportion of tobacco users (71%) knew that tobacco causes oral cancer. Half of the study population is unaware of oral cancer's early symptoms, noncontagious progression, lifestyle modification, and early treatment have a good prognosis. CONCLUSION: Findings of the study highlight the factors to be considered in framing effective antitobacco policies applicable to the rural population.