The Oral Health of Autistic Children and its Impact on the Mental Health of Parents of Karachi, Pakistan
Yasir Raza, Sadaf Ali, Saher Mushtaque, Ujala Mushtaque, Hariza Surani, Shafaq Nomani
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ABSTRACT
Background: Autism spectrum disorder is a mental health
disorder which affects the oral health of autistic children. The parents of
autistic children have to come across various problems associated with mental
health.
Objective: This study is conducted to assess the oral
health of autistic children and its impact on the mental health of parents.
Methodology: A cross-sectional
study was conducted among 150 parents of autistic children. Out of which 75
were mothers and 75 were fathers. Hence, (DASS 21) was use to assess
depression, anxiety and stress of parents. SPSS
version-23 was use to analyze the data by applying independent t-test and Pearson product-moment correlation coefficient .
(P ≤ 0.05) was considered significant.
Results: The findings of the study revealed that
autistic children have poor oral health status. Oral symptoms such as caries (p
< 0.001), bad breath (p < 0.001), gingivitis (p < 0.001), and
breathing from mouth (p < 0.001), biting of objects (p < 0.05) and
unfavorable experience of dentist (p < 0.001) was highly significant among
autistic children. Hence no significant difference was observed in dietary pattern
of autistic children. Depression, anxiety and stress were observed among the
parents of autistic children.
Conclusion: Dental Carries, bad breath and gingivitis was
commonly seen among the autistic children due to poor oral hygiene. In this
situation when children are unable to understand parents. It becomes a
challenging situation for parents leading to depression, stress and anxiety.
Keywords: Autism spectrum disorder, Mental health, Oral
health
ABSTRACT
Background: Autism spectrum disorder is a mental health
disorder which affects the oral health of autistic children. The parents of
autistic children have to come across various problems associated with mental
health.
Objective: This study is conducted to assess the oral
health of autistic children and its impact on the mental health of parents.
Methodology: A cross-sectional
study was conducted among 150 parents of autistic children. Out of which 75
were mothers and 75 were fathers. Hence, (DASS 21) was use to assess
depression, anxiety and stress of parents. SPSS
version-23 was use to analyze the data by applying independent t-test and Pearson product-moment correlation coefficient .
(P ≤ 0.05) was considered significant.
Results: The findings of the study revealed that
autistic children have poor oral health status. Oral symptoms such as caries (p
< 0.001), bad breath (p < 0.001), gingivitis (p < 0.001), and
breathing from mouth (p < 0.001), biting of objects (p < 0.05) and
unfavorable experience of dentist (p < 0.001) was highly significant among
autistic children. Hence no significant difference was observed in dietary pattern
of autistic children. Depression, anxiety and stress were observed among the
parents of autistic children.
Conclusion: Dental Carries, bad breath and gingivitis was
commonly seen among the autistic children due to poor oral hygiene. In this
situation when children are unable to understand parents. It becomes a
challenging situation for parents leading to depression, stress and anxiety.
Keywords: Autism spectrum disorder, Mental health, Oral
health