Research Article
Comparison of Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice of Nursing and Medical Students in Kermanshah, Iran, about Toothbrush Maintenance and Use
Table 3
Comparison of knowledge of nursing and medical students about toothbrush maintenance and use of a toothbrush.
| Items | Nursing students number (%) | Medical students number (%) | Test results |
| What water temperature is suitable for washing the toothbrush? | Hot | 40 (15.4) | 46 (14.4) | X2 = 0.40 | Cold | 61 (23.5) | 82 (25.6) | NS† | Lukewarm | 159 (61.2) | 192 (60.0) | |
| What is the right time to use toothbrush cap? | Immediately after brushing | 64 (24.6) | 79 (24.7) | X2 = 0.00 | After drying the toothbrush | 196 (75.4) | 241 (75.3) | NS |
| When should a toothbrush be replaced? (in months) | 1-2 | 39 (15.0) | 47 (14.7) | X2 = 1.25 | 2-3 | 142 (54.6) | 162 (50.6) | NS | 6 | 79 (30.4) | 111 (34.7) | |
| What is the best tooth brushing method? | Horizontal-rotary | 56 (21.5) | 79 (24.7) | X2 = 2.19 | Vertical-rotary | 176 (67.7) | 198 (61.9) | NS | Irregular | 28 (10.8) | 43 (13.4) | |
| What is the right place for keeping the toothbrush? | Inside the bathroom | 55 (21.2) | 55 (17.2) | X2 = 1.46 | Out of the bathroom | 205 (78.8) | 265 (82.8) | NS |
| What is the right method for washing the toothbrush? | Complete washing with hot water | 76 (29.2) | 99 (30.9) | X2 = 6.24 | Complete washing with cold water | 99 (38.1) | 133 (41.6) | NS | Rinsing with hot water | 32 (12.3) | 47 (14.7) | | Rinsing with cold water | 53 (20.4) | 41 (12.8) | |
| When should a toothbrush be washed? | Before brushing | 30 (11.5) | 22 (6.9) | X2 = 4.52 | After brushing | 64 (24.6) | 93 (29.1) | NS | Before and after brushing | 166 (63.8) | 205 (64.1) | |
| How long should tooth brushing last? | 1-2 minutes | 24 (9.2) | 43 (13.4) | X2 = 4.47 | 2-3 minutes | 143 (55) | 152 (47.5) | NS | More than 3 minutes | 82 (31.5) | 113 (35.3) | | Less than 1 minute | 11 (4.2) | 12 (3.8) | |
| What is the right method for keeping toothbrush after brushing? | Hanging | 197 (75.8) | 254 (79.4) | X2 = 1.07 | Keeping in water upside down | 63 (24.2) | 66 (20.6) | NS |
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†Nonsignificant.
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