Impact of the promotora model on the improvement of oral health knowledge of caregivers

• Published in: Revista de Salud Pública
• Main Authors: Milling, Emilee P., Dávila, María E., Tomar, Scott L., Dodd, Virginia J.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: Spanish
• Published: Universidad Nacional de Colombia - Sede Bogotá - Facultad de Medicina - Instituto de Salud Pública 2019
• Subjects: Health educator; oral health; knowledge; Dental Public Health; Education; Oral Helath; Knowldge; Educadores en salud; salud bucal; conocimiento; Salud publica Oral; Educacion; Circumpolar Health
• Online Access: https://revistas.unal.edu.co/index.php/revsaludpublica/article/view/73770

Objective The objective of this quasi-experimental study was to determine the impact of the Promotora Model (PM) as an educational strategy to increase oral health knowledge in parents/caregivers of children aged 2–5 years at high risk for dental caries. Materials and Methods Sixty-three caregivers who provided informed consent were included in the study. A structured 37-item survey was administered prior to conducting the Promotora educational intervention (PEI) that covered oral health topics and behaviors. Three (3) months after the PEI session, during their child’s next dental visit, the same instrument was administered to 46 of the parents/caregivers that had completed the first instrument. Results Most caregivers were Hispanic (73.9%) and 50% reported completing high school. Before PEI, 56.5% of participants scored as having “good” general knowledge. Three months after PEI, 82.6% achieved that score (paired sample T-test, p< 0.00001). Conclusion Based on the results, it was concluded that the PM significantly increased caregivers’ oral health knowledge. Objetivo El propósito de este estudio cuasi-experimental fue determinar el impacto del Modelo Promotora (MP) como estrategia educacional para mejorar el conocimiento sobre salud oral de los padres y/o cuidadores de niños con edades comprendidas entre 2-5 años con alto riesgo de sufrir caries dental. Métodos Sesenta y tres padres y/o cuidadores quienes dieron el consentimiento fueron incluidos en el estudio. Se administró un cuestionario estructurado de 37 preguntas antes de la intervención educativa (IE) con el Modelo Promotora (IEP) el cual cubría tópicos sobre salud oral y conductas. Tres (3) meses después de la sesión de IEP, en la próxima visita dental del niño, el mismo cuestionario fue administrado a 46 padres y/o cuidadores que habían completado el primer cuestionario. Resultados La mayoría de los padres y/o cuidadores eran Hispanos (73,9%) y 50% reporto tener bachillerato completo. Antes del IEP, 56,5% de los participantes presentó un nivel ...