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. 2023 Jun 2;18(6):e0280856.
doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0280856. eCollection 2023.

Using traditional rhyme (folk song) as a tool for oral hygiene promotion (UTRATOHP) among children in rural communities in Nigeria: A protocol for a randomised controlled trial

Omotayo Francis Fagbule  1   2 , Urenna Karen Emenyonu  1 , Ejiro Idiga  1 , Olubunmi Oluseun Oni  1 , Olabode Adeyemi Ijarogbe  3 , Mary Ebelechukwu Osuh  1   2 , Folake Barakat Lawal  1   2 , Tolulope Olusola Owoaje  4 , Olushola Ibiyemi  1   2
Affiliations

Using traditional rhyme (folk song) as a tool for oral hygiene promotion (UTRATOHP) among children in rural communities in Nigeria: A protocol for a randomised controlled trial

Omotayo Francis Fagbule et al. PLoS One. .

Abstract

Background: Most oral diseases are caused by poor oral hygiene, and with adequate oral hygiene measures, they are easily preventable. The use of folk songs to deliver oral health education may likely hold a huge potential for success and an increased likelihood of acceptability and sustainability among school children. Therefore, an investigation into the effectiveness of methods that would be culturally appropriate and sustainable, such as folk songs, is essential.

Aim: To determine the effect of traditional rhyme (folk song) as a tool for oral hygiene education among children in rural communities in Nigeria.

Materials and methods: This is a school-based, assessor-blinded, two-arm cluster-randomised controlled trial that will assess the effectiveness of oral hygiene messages delivered through traditional rhyme (folk song) on children's oral hygiene knowledge, attitude, practices, and oral hygiene status in two rural communities (Igboora and Idere) in Nigeria. The study will involve a minimum of 424 participants (aged 7-9 years) selected from eight primary schools using the cluster sampling technique. Four schools will be randomised into the test group to receive oral hygiene messages through folk songs, and the participants will sing the song for two weeks. The other four schools will be assigned to the control group, and the participants will receive the usual oral health talk on oral hygiene practices by a dentist. The participants' oral hygiene knowledge, attitude, practice and status will be assessed at baseline, immediate, six, and twelve-month post-intervention. A modified World Health Organization (WHO) Children's oral health survey questionnaire will be utilised for data collection. Oral examinations will be conducted to assess the participants' dental caries experience and oral hygiene status using the dmft/DMFT and simplified oral hygiene indices, respectively.

Discussion: Folk songs are popular means of conveying messages in Nigeria, and using them to deliver oral health messages may be an effective, acceptable, and sustainable method among children. This study will provide empirical information about this innovative intervention to guide policy development, dental public health practice, and future studies.

Trial registration: Pan African Clinical Trial Registry-PACTR202010863892797 (October 2020).

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Figures

Fig 1
Fig 1. Theoretical framework for the study.
Fig 2
Fig 2. The SPIRIT schedule for the study.
Fig 3
Fig 3. Flow diagram for the study.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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Publication types

Grants and funding

Co-author initials: OI Funder: FDI World Dental Federation (https://www.fdiworlddental.org/) The funder had and will not have a role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.