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Chulalongkorn University Dental Journal

Publication Date

2008-09-01

Abstract

Objective To study the bottle-using behaviors in a group of preschool children in Bangkok, Thailand. Materials and methods The sample consisted of 970 preschool children aged 1-6 years old from one kindergarten in Bangkok. Parents/caregivers completed self-administered questionnaires including information related to demographic data, the childrenûs bottle using or weaning status and the parentsû attitudes towards bottle using. Results Out of 824 questionnaires returned (85%), 605 were valid (73.4%). Results showed that 58.2% (352/605) of children (age 2.6 ± 0.9 years) still used a feeding-bottle while 41.8% (253/605) already weaned from bottle (age 4.2 ± 1.2 years). The mean age at the weaning time was 2.8 ± 0.9 years. Different opinions were found in some attitudes between parents/caregivers of bottle-using and weaning group. The most prevalent reason that led parents/caregivers of bottle-using group to allow the continuation of the habit was the child refused weaning. Of this group, 32.1% lacked knowledge concerning the time their children should wean. As for the weaned group, the most reason for weaning was the children quit the habit by themselves and the most difficult time to wean was before bedtime. It was also found that the persons who provided weaning information were relatives and friends (45.6%). Conclusion Prolonged use of bottles beyond recommended age was found in the majority of preschool children in this study. Despite of health care workers, laypersons may help provide dental education including feeding practice information to parents and caregivers.

DOI

10.58837/CHULA.CUDJ.31.3.1

First Page

273

Last Page

282

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Dentistry Commons

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