Page 57 - FINAL COMPENDIUM 2020-2021 27.2.2022

THE EFFECTIVENESS OF MOBILE APPLICATION PROTOTYPE (GIGIKU SIHAT) IN
IMPROVING DIETARY HABITS AND ORAL HYGIENE OF CHILDREN AGED 4 TO 6 YEARS OLD
AND THE NUTRITION AND ORAL HEALTH KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND PRACTICE OF THE
PARENTS IN KELANTAN: A CLUSTER RANDOMISED TRIAL
NMRR-20-2825-57812

Noor Akmal M, Ruhaya H, Norkhafizah S, Muhammad Rafie MA

Introduction: In Kelantan, dental caries in pre-school children is of concern as added sugar
intake was reported to exceed the recommended value. The dietary, oral hygiene (OH)
habits and parental nutrition and oral health knowledge, attitudes and practices (NOKAP)
were valuable for dental caries deterrence. Objectives: This study looks into the
effectiveness of Gigiku Sihat (GS) for improving dietary habits and OH among 4 to 6 year
olds children at KEMAS pre-school in Tumpat, Kelantan and their parents’ NOKAP.
Materials and methods: GS was developed according to System Development Life Cycle.
A cluster randomised trial was adopted. The participants in the study group (SG) received
conventional oral health education (TIP TOP) and GS; while the control group (CG)
received TIP TOP. TIP TOP was delivered once; while GS was installed in the participants’
mobile device and used during the study period. The estimated sample size was 60 for
each groups. Self-administered questionnaires were used to measure cariogenic food
frequency (CFF) and NOKAP. OH status was determined with Simplified Oral Hygiene
Index (OHI-S). Measurement of variables were done at baseline, 6- (Evaluation 1) and 12-
weeks (Evaluation 2) post-intervention. Descriptive analysis, repeated measures ANOVA
and independent t-test used and the significance level set at p<0.05. Results: A total of
115 parent-child pairs (SG:55, CG:60) completed the study. Both groups have more girls
compared to boys. Most parents in both groups aged 30-39 years old (SG:60.0%,
CG:51.7%); had secondary education and below (SG:27.3%, CG:25.0%); were either
housewife, not working or retired (SG:67.3%, CG:71.7%); had 5 -7 family members
(SG:54.5%, CG:53.3%); monthly household income of RM1,000 - RM1,999 (SG:56.4%,
CG:45.0%) and spent RM700 - RM799 monthly for food (SG:27.3%, CG:31.7%). The main
water supply used in both groups were pipe water (SG:58.2%, CG:73.3%). CFF score was
significantly lower in the SG as compared to CG in the categories of biscuit (p=0.010,
0.035) at Evaluation 1 and 2, traditional kuih (p=0.041) at Evaluation 1 and soya bean-
based milk (p=0.004) at Evaluation 2. There was a significantly lower OHI-S score (p=0.001)
and higher attitude score (p=0.001) during Evaluation 2 in the SG compared to the CG.
Comparison between SG and CG shows no significant differences of knowledge and
practice score. Conclusion: GS was effective in improving the attitude score of the parent
on children’s oral health as well as biscuit, traditional kuih and soya bean-based milk
categories of CFF and OHI-S score of the pre-school children.

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