Children’s toothbrushing: a population survey on behaviours, attitudes, and knowledge in parents of Callao, Peru

Objective To determine the factors associated with behaviours, attitudes and knowledge of parents about children’s toothbrushing (CTB). Methods This is a cross-sectional analytical study of a calculated sample of 3,534 parents/guardians (92.6% female; 7.4% male; average age = 34 years [29–37]) of schoolchildren aged 3 to 8 years in 19 public schools in the province of Callao (Peru). A 31-item face-to-face/virtual questionnaire was divided into: 5 behavioural (18 (IQR)=3]; good 76%), 5 attitudes (13 [IQR=4]; negative 74.2%) and 10 knowledge (12 [IQR=4]; low 92.8%) (KMO≥0.537, Bartlett<0,001) and reliability (ω≥0.537) and 11 demographic domains. Bivariate and multivariate linear Poisson models were used with a P<0.05. Results Bivariate models on CTB showed higher probabilities of high attitudes and knowledge at a higher educational level (PR: 6.68 a 105.47) and frequency of toothbrushing (PR: 23.31 to 106.57) (P≤0.02). Adjusted multivariate models of CTB showed a higher probability (P≤0.01) of good behaviours in parents with higher education (PR: 1.54; 95%CI: 1.41–1.70), positive attitudes in those with a technical education (PR: 43.8; 95%CI: 6.03–318.18) and higher education (RP: 135.29; 95%CI: 136–152), daily toothbrushing 2 times (PR: 104.45; 95%CI: 14.20–768.27) and ≥3 times (PR: 65.76; 95%CI: 9.00–480.47); and greater knowledge of CTB in parents with a higher education (PR: 4485.06; 95%CI: 512.98–39213.58), daily toothbrushing 2 times (PR: 1611.12; 95%CI: 194.38–13354.04) and ≥3 times (PR: 183.08; 95%CI: 24.95–1343.19). Conclusions Children of parents with a higher education showed good behaviours related to CTB. Negative parental attitudes and low knowledge about CTB were associated with a lower parental education and toothbrushing frequency.