Shang-Jung Wu1,2, Chun-Chieh Wang3,4, Shu-Chen Kuo4,5, Shwn-Huey Shieh6, Yueh-Juen Hwu7. 1. Department of Nursing, Taichung Veterans General Hospital Puli Branch, Nantou 54552, Taiwan. 2. Department of Public Health, China Medical University, Taichung 40447, Taiwan. 3. Department of Internal Medicine, Taichung Veterans General Hospital Puli Branch, Nantou 54552, Taiwan. 4. Department of Eldercare, Central Taiwan University of Science and Technology, Taichung 40601, Taiwan. 5. Department of Nursing, Da Chien Health Medical System, Miaoli 36052, Taiwan. 6. Department of Health Services Administration, China Medical University, Taichung 40447, Taiwan. 7. College of Nursing in the Central Taiwan University of Science and Technology, Taichung 40601, Taiwan.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Oral hygiene is often neglected in clients receiving long-term care, suggesting that long-term care workers require formal oral hygiene education. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the effects of oral hygiene education on long-term care workers. METHODS: This study utilized a mixed methods design. Eighty long-term care workers were recruited for participation in the oral hygiene education program, which employed three teaching methods: narration with multimedia presentation, demonstration, and teach-back. The effect of the education program on the participants' level of oral hygiene knowledge, attitudes, and skills was measured using a structured questionnaire that was administered both pre- and post-delivery of the education program. Three months later, all participants submitted a self-report of their oral hygiene skills, and six participants completed a telephone interview. Quantitative data were analyzed using paired t-tests, and qualitative data were manually analyzed and coded. RESULTS: Scores of oral hygiene knowledge (p < 0.001), attitudes (p = 0.001), and oral cleaning daily frequency for clients (p < 0.001), were significantly higher three months after undertaking the educational program. CONCLUSIONS: This preliminary study suggests that oral hygiene education may be effective in improving oral hygiene knowledge, attitudes, and skills among long-term care staff.
BACKGROUND: Oral hygiene is often neglected in clients receiving long-term care, suggesting that long-term care workers require formal oral hygiene education. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the effects of oral hygiene education on long-term care workers. METHODS: This study utilized a mixed methods design. Eighty long-term care workers were recruited for participation in the oral hygiene education program, which employed three teaching methods: narration with multimedia presentation, demonstration, and teach-back. The effect of the education program on the participants' level of oral hygiene knowledge, attitudes, and skills was measured using a structured questionnaire that was administered both pre- and post-delivery of the education program. Three months later, all participants submitted a self-report of their oral hygiene skills, and six participants completed a telephone interview. Quantitative data were analyzed using paired t-tests, and qualitative data were manually analyzed and coded. RESULTS: Scores of oral hygiene knowledge (p < 0.001), attitudes (p = 0.001), and oral cleaning daily frequency for clients (p < 0.001), were significantly higher three months after undertaking the educational program. CONCLUSIONS: This preliminary study suggests that oral hygiene education may be effective in improving oral hygiene knowledge, attitudes, and skills among long-term care staff.
Authors: Patrick Stark; Gerry McKenna; Christine Brown Wilson; Georgios Tsakos; Paul Brocklehurst; Caroline Lappin; Barry Quinn; Gary Mitchell Journal: BMC Nurs Date: 2022-10-05