Assessment of Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Regarding Oral Health among High School Students in Jalalabad, Afghanistan: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Aims: Oral health is a critical component of overall health, yet adolescents often face challenges in maintaining good oral hygiene practices. This study aimed to evaluate the knowledge, attitude, and practices related to oral health among high school students in Jalalabad, Afghanistan. Study Design: Cross-sectional descriptive. Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted from January 5, 2025, to March 5, 2025, in Jalalabad city of Afghanistan. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted from January 5, 2025, to March 5, 2025, involving 460 male high school students from 10th, 11th, and 12th grades in 5 governmental and 5 private schools. A non-probability convenience sampling method was used, and 450 students completed the questionnaire accurately. The data collected included their knowledge of oral health, attitudes towards dental care, and practices related to oral hygiene. Data was analyzed by Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 27.0. Results: The results showed that 78.9% of students had overall oral health knowledge, with 71% demonstrating very good knowledge and 5% showing very poor knowledge. In terms of attitude, 83% of students recognized the importance of dental visits, but only 63.1% visited a dentist when experiencing tooth pain. Barriers to dental visits included high costs (36.2%) and fear of needles and pain (49%). Regarding oral hygiene practices, 76.2% of students used a toothbrush and toothpaste, and 54.9% brushed their teeth two or more times daily. Additionally, 69.1% spent more than two minutes brushing their teeth. However, 9.6% reported that their parents never provided guidance or supervision for oral health maintenance. Conclusion: The study revealed that students demonstrated a reasonable understanding and practice of oral health. Parental involvement appeared to play a role in promoting oral hygiene habits. These findings highlight the need for targeted interventions to improve oral health awareness among high school students.