Misconceptions and traditional practices toward infant teething symptoms among mothers in eastern Sudan

Abstract

There is no much published data on the mothers’ false beliefs about signs and symptoms associated with teething in Sudan. Aim: This cross-sectional hospital-based study was conducted to assess mothers` knowledge about infant teething process and to evaluate mothers’ practices used to alleviate teething disturbances in Gadarif city, eastern Sudan. Methods: Questionnaires were used to collect data. Multivariate logistics regression models were performed and adjusted odds ratios (AOR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated. Results/Conclusion: Of a total of 384 participating mothers, 126 (32.8%) had good knowledge about infant teething. The mothers’ knowledge was associated with a higher number of children in the family (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 1.14) and with having a job (AOR = 2.22). Mothers residing in rural areas (AOR = 0.40) and mothers with lower than secondary education (AOR = 0.43) were less likely to have good knowledge about teething. Diarrhea (88.5%), fever (86.5%), an urge to bite (76.6%), and poor appetite (71.9%) were the signs and symptoms most attributed to teething by mothers. Only the mother’s knowledge about teething was associated with reporting fever as a sign. A considerable number (317; 82.6%) of mothers reported performing “Dokhan” (acacia wood smoke), 313 (81.5%) preferred to administer paracetamol or other systemic analgesics, 262 (68.2%) agreed that a child with tooth eruption should be taken to a hospital or health center, and 216 (56.3%) believed that antibiotics relieved symptoms related to teething.

Parental beliefs in and attitudes toward teething signs and symptoms: A systematic review

“…A total of 29 studies were included in the descriptive analysis 1,6,26–53 . In all included studies, parents believed in signs and symptoms of teething.…”

“…Teething is a physiological process that occurs naturally in humans between 6 and 30 months of age. The included studies were conducted in different countries and years, and they investigated whether parents believe that the process of eruption of primary teeth is accompanied by signs and symptoms in their children and the attitudes they would take when facing signs and symptoms 1,6,26–53 …”

Evaluation of Some Dental Myths Among the Adult Population in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…The belief that tooth swelling should be fomented with warm water heedlessly leads to cellulitis [3]. Mothers should be aware that the eruption period of primary teeth correlates with the reduction of maternal immunity, enabling them to deal with potential childhood illnesses competently [7][8][9]. The misbelief of tooth extraction for a carious tooth indicated the unawareness of dental procedures among the general population.…”

“…According to a misconception, teething is attributed to fever, diarrhea, and ear infection [ 3 , 6 , 7 ]. The belief that tooth swelling should be fomented with warm water heedlessly leads to cellulitis [ 3 ].…”

“…Although numerous studies have been conducted in diverse populations to assess the prevalence of myths concerning oral health, only two have been conducted in Saudi Arabia. One of these two studies dealt only with the teething myths prevalent among mothers in Jazan Province [ 7 , 9 ]. Although Saudi Arabia has a high human development index, these myths are deep-rooted in the population, and the dearth of such studies in this region necessitates comprehensive research to be conducted in the capital city to alleviate the existing ignorance and cultural barriers.…”