Variation in assessing the need for change of snacking habits in schoolchildren's oral health counselling.
OBJECTIVE
This study examined counselling communication activities that were used for assessing schoolchildren's need for change of snacking habits. In addition, the schoolchildren's assessment of their need for change was explored after a follow-up year (2002-2003).


METHODS
The follow-up research data included 66 counselling sessions in 2002 and 31 counselling sessions in 2003, with 31 schoolchildren. The sessions were conducted by four dental hygienists. The audio-taped data were analysed qualitatively by using content analysis.


RESULTS
In 2002, the needs assessment was realized in three ways. Infrequently, the schoolchildren either disclosed their need for change or the counsellor explicitly determined the schoolchildren's need for change. Usually, however, the schoolchildren's needs assessment for change occurred through the counsellors' communication activities of assessment, advice, and change-inducing questions. In one-third of the cases, the schoolchildren's need for change remained ambiguous during the sessions in 2002. With respect to positive changes in 2003, the schoolchildren themselves were aware of the need for change. Alternatively, the sessions included change discussion that addressed readiness for change and making changes during the counselling in 2002.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results revealed that a thorough needs assessment of schoolchildren's snacking habits provides a foundation for behaviourally focused counselling.
Kasila
Kirsti
K
Research Center for Health Promotion, University of Jyväskylä, Finland. kirsti.kasila@sport.jyu.fi
Poskiparta
Marita
M
Kettunen
Tarja
T
Pietilä
Ilpo
I
D000293:Adolescent; D001294:Attitude to Health; D002182:Candy / Q000009:adverse effects; D002253:Carbonated Beverages / Q000009:adverse effects; D002648:Child; D003142:Communication; D003376:Counseling; D004245:DMF Index; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D007778:Lactobacillus / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D020380:Needs Assessment; D009909:Oral Health; D013295:Streptococcus mutans / Q000502:physiology
D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates