Page 51 - FINAL COMPENDIUM 2020-2021 27.2.2022

THE EFFICACY OF ORAL HEALTH AND NUTRITION PACKAGE FOR CEREBRAL PALSY
(ON-CP PACKAGE) MODULE IN IMPROVING THE ORAL HEALTH AND NUTRITIONAL
STATUS OF CHILDREN WITH CEREBRAL PALSY
NMRR-17-14-33897

Rathmawati A, Normastura AR, Ruhaya H
Objectives: To evaluate the efficacy of the Oral Health and Nutrition Package for Cerebral
Palsy (ON-CP Package) Module in improving the parents’/caregivers’ oral health
knowledge, attitude and practice (OHKAP), dental plaque maturity, dental caries
experiences, nutritional status and dietary pattern of the children with cerebral palsy
(CWCP). Materials and methods: An intervention study using the ON-CP Package Module
has been conducted on CWCP aged 5-17 years registered at Community-Based
Rehabilitation Centres in Kelantan, and their parents/caregivers. The sample size was 48
for each intervention (IG) and control group (CG). Parents’/caregivers’ OHKAP was
obtained from the OHKAP questionnaire. Dental plaque maturity score (DPMS) was
determined using GC Tri Plaque ID Gel®. Caries experiences were determined by DMFT/dft
index. Assessment of nutritional status involved the BMI-for-age Z-score and mid-upper-
arm circumferences (MUAC). Parents/caregivers were interviewed for 24-hour diet recall
to obtain the CWCP’s nutrient intakes. Cariogenic food frequency (CFF) was assessed from
never/rarely to 2-3 times daily. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS version 24.0.
Repeated measures ANCOVA were used, and the significance level was set at P < 0.05.
Results: Total pairs of 93 CWCP and their parents/caregivers (IG = 45, CG = 48) were
recruited. The mean (SD) age of the CWCP in IG and CG were 11.9 (4.77) and 12.1 (5.04)
years, respectively. Comparisons between pre- and post-intervention results showed
significant increases in OH knowledge scores (P = 0.001) and KAP scores (P = 0.002) in the
IG. There were also significant decreases in DPMS (P = 0.007) and CFF (P = 0.001) scores
in the IG compared to the CG. Discussion: Despite no significant differences,
improvements in MUAC, energy intakes, reduce sugar intakes and no formation of new
caries was observed in the IG. ON-CP Package Module was effective in improving the
OHKAP which promotes the decrease in DPMS, improves nutritional status, as well as
controls the caries development and CFF of the CWCP.

Virtual poster presentation at 22 NIH Scientific Conference on 21 – 23September 2021
nd

Dr Rathmawati binti Ahmad
Sabah State Deputy Director of Health (Oral Health) Office
Kota Kinabalu, Sabah

Prof. Dr Normastura binti Abd Rahman
Dr Ruhaya Hasan
School of Dental Sciences
Universiti Sains Malaysia

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