Knowledge and self-perception of breath odour amongst house officers at the University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria.
OBJECTIVE
This study assessed the knowledge and perception of house officers on halitosis in the University College Hospital, Ibadan.


METHODS
Questionnaires including items relating to knowledge of halitosis, awareness and timing of bad breath, oral hygiene habits and opinions on other issues related to bad breath were administered to the subjects.


RESULTS
Only seventeen (15.5%) of the 110 respondents knew that halitosis refers to malodour originating from the oral and nasal cavities while five (5%) were of the opinion that halitosis is only a cosmetic problem. Furthermore, thirty nine (35.5%) preferred not being told by a friend or colleague if their breath smells badly.


CONCLUSIONS
The knowledge and perception of the newly qualified doctors to halitosis in this study is unsatisfactory. Therefore, concerted efforts should be made to improve them. This could be achieved by more emphasis on this subject during their undergraduate training.
Adeyemi
B F
BF
Department of Oral Pathology, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Nigeria.
Kolude
B M
BM
Arigbede
A O
AO
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006209:Halitosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006784:Hospitals, Teaching; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency; D008297:Male; D009549:Nigeria; D009910:Oral Hygiene; D012649:Self Concept; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult