Attitudes of mothers towards prolonged non-nutritive sucking habits in children in Qassim province

Norah Abdulrahman Alfayez; Norah Saleh Alnussyan

Attitudes of mothers towards prolonged non-nutritive sucking habits in children in Qassim province

Authors
Norah Abdulrahman Alfayez, Norah Saleh Alnussyan

Abstract
Digit-sucking is a common behavior in children and is thought to be a normal adaptive process during infancy and toddling years, its prevalence is said to vary from (50%), many babies attempt to suck their fingers or dummies occasionally, sucking can only be considered as a habit if it has continued for several months after birth.

Aim: To investigate the attitude of the Saudi mothers toward sucking habits and their attempts to eliminate this behavior in their children.

Material and Methods: Across-sectional study involved (151) mothers of preschool children currently engaged in sucking habits (digit and pacifier) were studied. The information was obtained from a self- administered questionnaire completed by the mothers.

Results: A high percentage of mothers had had a university level educational (55%), and (49.7%) of them were employed. High percentage of mothers (43%) belonged age 31-40 year old group. About (35.8%) of children within non-nutritive sucking habit were 5 years old and about (57%) of them were girls. More than (60%) of the children pacifier users’ were sucking their digits (39.1%) and most of them (63.6%) started the habit from birth. More than half of the mothers in this study (51%) considered non-nutritive sucking habit to be harmful habit to teeth. About (71%) of the mothers do not accept this habit. Almost (37.30%) of the mothers believe that crying baby at night is the reason for acquiring this habit. The majority of mothers (74.0%) reported that they tried to break this habit. “Place unpleasant flavor substances on the pacifier or digit” was most commonly recorded methods used by mothers to stop the sucking habits.

Conclusion: This study shows that Saudi mothers are concerned about sucking habits and recognized the harmful effect on their children. In the other hand, Excessive need for increased health awareness among mothers to consult medical or dental professionals about sucking habit.

Download | Pages : 57-62