KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND PRACTICES TOWARDS INFANT ORAL MUTILATION AMONG MOTHERS OF LOMULE VILLAGE, BOMBO IN LUWERO DISTRICT- A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY.

Abstract

Background

Infant Oral Mutilation (IOM) was a dangerous and sometimes fatal traditional or convectional dental malpractice that had been performed for decades in many areas of Africa. Uganda remains among the countries with almost a quarter of all deaths from IOM among infants.

 Methodology

A descriptive cross-sectional study was designed on 50 respondents using a convenient sampling nonprobability technique and interview questionnaires with closed and open-ended questions. 

 Results

88.0% of respondents had ever had IOM, 74% knew IOM as the practice of removing the infant's harmful teeth,62% reported diarrhea, fever, and vomiting as the major reasons for carrying out false teeth removal,58% reported that they take their children who develop false teeth to the traditional healer for removal,54% reported that the child would die if the false teeth were not removed,88% reported that IOM was a good practice,74% reported that they carried out IOM to treat childhood illness like fever, vomiting, diarrhea,60%reported that traditional healers are the only people competent enough to decide whether the infant's teeth was to be removed,68% reported that the infant's teeth were removed at around 4-8months of age,56%reported that a bicycle spoke was used to remove the infant false teeth,88.0% reported that the child got better after false teeth removal.

 Conclusion

The knowledge of the practice of IOM among mothers was not satisfactory. However, their attitude and practices which included myths and beliefs towards IOM were likely to expose more children to false teeth removal.

 Recommendations

The community health workers should sensitize the community about the dangers of IOM, and teach mothers or caregivers the appropriate preventive measures and recommended management of childhood illness.