A Qualitative Study of Child Nutrition and Oral Health in El Salvador

Priyanka Achalu, Neha Zahid, Dominique N Sherry, Andrew Chang and Karen Sokal-Gutierrez
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Priyanka Achalu: School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
Neha Zahid: School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
Dominique N Sherry: School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
Andrew Chang: School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
Karen Sokal-Gutierrez: School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA

IJERPH, 2019, vol. 16, issue 14, 1-12

Abstract: The nutrition transition from traditional diets to processed snacks and sugary beverages has contributed to a higher burden of child malnutrition, obesity, and tooth decay. While child health interventions typically promote nutritious eating, they rarely promote oral health. Mothers’ motivations for child nutrition and oral health practices need to be better understood. A convenience sample of 102 mothers in eight rural Salvadoran communities participated in focus groups addressing child nutrition and oral health. Focus groups were transcribed and coded using qualitative content analysis. Primary themes included generational changes in health environments; health knowledge, attitudes, and practices; and access and barriers to health services. Mothers noted general improvements in awareness of oral hygiene but poorer child oral health, which they attributed to widespread sales of unhealthy snacks and beverages near schools. Distance and cost limited families’ access to dental services. Knowledge gaps included the belief that oral iron supplements cause tooth decay, uncertainty regarding when to start tooth brushing, and until when parents should help children brush. Maternal-child health programs should emphasize the adverse health consequences of feeding young children processed snacks and sugary drinks, and promote dental care access and regulations to ensure health-promoting environments surrounding schools.

Keywords: nutrition; oral health; nutrition transition; children’s health; barriers to care; El Salvador (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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