title: Effect of health education on knowledge and oral hygiene practices of persons living with HIV in Nairobi, Kenya.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the effect of oral health education on knowledge and oral health seeking behaviour of persons living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA).
  
  
  METHODS
  Quasi-experimental study design conducted among 195 Persons living with HIV/AIDS attending two Comprehensive Care Centres (CCC) at the Kenyatta National Hospital (intervention group) and Mbagathi district hospital (non-intervention group) in Nairobi Kenya. The participants were selected using systematic random sampling method and data collected using a questionnaire. Data was collected at baseline, at three months (review 1) and at six months (review 2).
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was a significant change in oral health knowledge for KNH participants. However, no significant change in oral knowledge was recorded for MDH participants. The proportion of participants who brushed their teeth at least twice a day increased significantly from 52% to 88% for KNH. The proportion of those who had brushed the previous evening increased from 47% to 83.2%. There was no significant change in the proportion brushing at least twice a day among the non-intervention group. There was a significant association between change in knowledge and change to brushing at least twice a day among the intervention group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Oral health education led to improved oral health knowledge and oral hygiene practices among PLWHA.
authors.forename: L W
authors.initials: LW
authors.lastname: Gathece
authors.forename: J K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Wang'ombe
authors.forename: P M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Ng'ang'a
authors.forename: P N
authors.initials: PN
authors.lastname: Wanzala
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003773:Dental Plaque / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications*; D015438:Health Behavior; D006267:Health Education, Dental / Q000379:methods; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007630:Kenya; D016015:Logistic Models; D008875:Middle Aged; D009909:Oral Health / Q000193:education; D009910:Oral Hygiene; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014099:Toothbrushing; D055815:Young Adult