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Why Iranian adolescents do not brush their teeth: a qualitative study
Author(s) -
Pakpour AH,
Hidarnia A,
Hajizadeh E,
Kumar S,
Fridlund B
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
international journal of dental hygiene
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.674
H-Index - 38
eISSN - 1601-5037
pISSN - 1601-5029
DOI - 10.1111/j.1601-5037.2011.00513.x
Subject(s) - tooth brushing , medicine , focus group , dentistry , toothache , qualitative research , theme (computing) , brush , social science , marketing , toothbrush , sociology , computer science , electrical engineering , business , engineering , operating system
To cite this article:
Int J Dent Hygiene 10 , 2012; 86–90
DOI: 10.1111/j.1601‐5037.2011.00513.x Pakpour AH, Hidarnia A, Hajizadeh E, Kumar S, Fridlund B. Why Iranian adolescents do not brush their teeth: a qualitative study. Abstract: Objectives: To explore and describe attitudes towards tooth‐brushing among Iranian adolescents. Methods: A series of focus‐group sessions were held with 37 Iranian adolescents in schools. The groups comprised five to eight adolescents. All focus‐group discussions were tape‐recorded and then transcribed verbatim. All transcripts, codes and categories were read several times to extract a theme. Data were analysed using a qualitative content analysis approach. Results: Four major categories emerged from the analysis: brushing teeth is a necessary evil, parental influence on not brushing teeth, brushing teeth is insignificant, and brushing teeth is a health hazard. The theme identified in the latent content described that tooth‐brushing is not part of the adolescents’ activities of daily living. Conclusions: Health educators should stress on the engagement of parents, awareness of the adolescents on brushing techniques and causes of toothache, and address any misconceptions regarding tooth‐brushing.