This paper seeks to assess the oral health status and behaviour of a sample of the Mauritian population visiting private dental clinics.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper seeks to assess the oral health status and behaviour of a sample of the Mauritian population visiting private dental clinics.
Design/methodology/approach
Oral health status was determined using the World Health Organization (Decayed, Missing, Filled Teeth (DMFT) index indicating the prevalence of caries, and factors associated with oral health behaviour were investigated. Cross‐sectional data on oral health behaviour and demographic characteristics were collected through a structured 22‐item self‐designed survey questionnaire administered to a randomly selected sample of 250 Mauritians visiting private dental clinics. The data were statistically analysed to examine associations between oral health variables.
Findings
Analyses revealed significant correlations between DMFT scores, age and socioeconomic status. Over 80 per cent of the children below the age of 11 had DMFT scores higher than the acceptable WHO value of 3, and most adults older than 45 years had DMFT scores higher than 7. A large majority (85 per cent) reported using both fluoride toothpaste and tongue scrapers, but none reported using dental floss. Those who brushed teeth only once daily had high DMFT scores. Among males, smokers had significantly higher mean DMFT than non‐smokers. Females demonstrated better rates of good oral health behaviour than males. Respondents from higher socioeconomic classes were between three to five times more likely to visit dental clinics than those from lower classes.
Practical implications
This study reveals the need for intervention programmes to raise awareness of good oral health practices among the Mauritian people.
Originality/value
The results identified the high risk groups and highlighted the need for dental education, taking into consideration socioeconomic status and sociodemographics in order to enable Mauritians to become oral‐hygiene‐conscious and active partners for the management of oral health and prevention of systemic diseases.
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P. Pugo‐Gunsam, N. Cahoolessur and A.H. Subratty
It is known that individuals who are prone to food hypersensitivity also show allergy‐associated problems or hypersensitivities to allergens. At present there is scarcity of data…
Abstract
Purpose
It is known that individuals who are prone to food hypersensitivity also show allergy‐associated problems or hypersensitivities to allergens. At present there is scarcity of data pertaining to food allergy in Mauritius. Thus, this article aims to focus on the investigation of the prevalence of food allergy in Mauritius.
Design/methodology/approach
A questionnaire‐based survey on self‐reported symptoms of allergy addressing allergy‐associated parameters including offending food items, adverse reactions to food, additional hypersensitivity, allergic diseases along with age, gender and geographical location were assessed in relation to a random sample population around different regions of the island.
Findings
The present study shows that reported symptoms of allergy to food among the participants are high. Symptoms included runny nose, sneezing, shortness of breath, eczema, hives and skin rashes. It was also noted that participants reported being more allergic to seafood than any other food items like fruits, peanut, soybean and chocolate. Those who had severe symptoms were few in numbers and others showed symptoms only rarely or occasionally.
Originality/value
The paper shows that there is need for a health education campaign to inform children and parents about the potential risks of exposure to dietary products, especially as most of the participants do not visit a doctor when they believe they are allergic to food.
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Chantelle Clarke, Kate Abel and Talitha Best
There is growing awareness internationally of the need to reduce intake of added sugars. The purpose of this study was to examine consumer sugar knowledge and food label use.
Abstract
Purpose
There is growing awareness internationally of the need to reduce intake of added sugars. The purpose of this study was to examine consumer sugar knowledge and food label use.
Design/methodology/approach
This cross-sectional online survey included 229 adult participants (85% female and 15% male). Participants completed measures of demographics, sugar knowledge, interest in food and nutrition, food choice motivations and beliefs and food label use. The sample of convenience showed that participants were from Australasia (n = 90), the USA (n = 90) and other Western (Europe and Canada, n = 49) countries.
Findings
Overall, participant sugar knowledge predicted nutrition label use over and above individual demographic and psychological characteristics (interest in food and nutrition, health beliefs and food choice motivations) (p < 0.001). Country comparisons revealed that those in Australasia reported lower sugar knowledge compared to the USA (p =< 0.001) and other Western countries (p = 0.028).
Research limitations/implications
Overall, participant sugar knowledge predicted nutrition label use over and above individual demographic and psychological characteristics (interest in food and nutrition, health beliefs and food choice motivations) (p < 001). Country comparisons revealed that those in Australasia reported lower sugar knowledge compared to the USA (p =< 0.001) and other Western countries (p = 0.028).
Originality/value
This study explored sugar knowledge as a unique predictor of food label use, taking into account individual characteristics in demographics, food choice motivations and health beliefs.
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Aylin Ayaz, Damla Dedebayraktar, Elif Inan-Eroglu, Halit Tanju Besler and Zehra Buyuktuncer
This study aims to determine the effects of nutrition knowledge on the use of nutrition facts labels in emerging adults by defining the nutrition education status.
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to determine the effects of nutrition knowledge on the use of nutrition facts labels in emerging adults by defining the nutrition education status.
Design/methodology/approach
For this cross-sectional study, 919 young adults, aged 18–24 years, were recruited. Participants trained by dietetic professional at least 2 h per week during the period of at least one education period were considered as having nutrition education. Food label use, specific circumstances and different food products were recorded. The participants were also asked about their attitudes regarding food label use with a questionnaire including 15 products.
Findings
Nutrition facts label is mainly used when buying a product for the first time, a product of an unknown brand or comparing different companies’ similar products, regardless of nutrition education status. Participants with nutrition education had a higher nutrition facts label use and they use the score for specific food products including breakfast cereal (p = 0.003), snacks (p < 0.001), beverages (p = 0.004), ready to eat soups (p = 0.004) and diet products for special occasions (p < 0.001). Mean total score of attitudes regarding food label use for participants who had nutrition education was found as 58.9 ± 6.1 and who did not have nutrition education was found as 51.7 ± 9.2 (p < 0.01).
Originality/value
Nutrition education, which is related to the nutrition facts label use, would be especially useful in helping people for the selection of healthier foods. As habits acquired from childhood will last for a lifetime, more effective nutrition education programs and nutrition label reading education programs should be designed. The findings need to be considered for promoting nutrition facts label use by developing nutrition education.
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The purpose of this paper is to assess the level of knowledge and practice of breastfeeding among factory working mothers in Kathmandu who had a minimum of one child of less than…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to assess the level of knowledge and practice of breastfeeding among factory working mothers in Kathmandu who had a minimum of one child of less than two years of age.
Design/methodology/approach
A cross-sectional survey, with the help of a semi-structured questionnaire, was completed. χ2 or Fisher exact tests were applied for analysis using the SPSS program.
Findings
In total, 36.0 percent of the mothers had adequate knowledge, and 40.0 percent had an appropriate practice of breastfeeding (BF). Also, 30 percent of them were supplementing their BF with additional milk and 54.0 percent began to give additional food at less than six months of age, mainly due to insufficient breast milk. However, 40.0 percent of mothers practiced exclusive BF; 34.0 percent of mothers continued BF until their child reached two years of age. BF was initiated within an hour by 64.0 percent of mothers. Regarding knowledge, the majority of them (82 percent) knew about initiation time of the feed, 64.0 percent of mothers knew that breast milk had positive effects on a child’s health while 48.0 percent knew that it also had good effects on the mothers’ health. There was a positive association between available facilities and BF knowledge levels (p-value<0.00, χ2=4.25, df=1). The associations of knowledge levels against the education status of mothers (p-value=0.11, χ2=2.59, df=1) and practice level of initiation of breast milk (p-value=0.96, χ2=0.02, df=1) were not significant.
Originality/value
The knowledge and practices of BF among factory working mothers are not satisfactory. Hence, an effective way to encourage BF is to increase the availability of facilities for the practice of BF at a mother’s workplace.
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Zuraidah Zainol, Rusliza Yahaya, Juliana Osman and Nor Asiah Omar
This study aims to determine the effect of health knowledge on nutrition-label use and attitude, and consequently on healthy food choice among Malaysian Muslim consumers.
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to determine the effect of health knowledge on nutrition-label use and attitude, and consequently on healthy food choice among Malaysian Muslim consumers.
Design/methodology/approach
This study adopts the positivist, deductive and quantitative approach. A sample consisting of 257 Muslim consumers, at least 15 years old, were selected using systematic street-intercept sampling method. Data collected using a self-administered questionnaire were analysed using descriptive statistics and structural equation modelling (SEM).
Findings
The findings reveal the significant positive effect of health knowledge on nutrition-label use and attitude towards nutrition label, but only attitude towards nutrition label significantly predicts healthy food choice.
Research limitations/implications
Though the findings add to the existing literature, provide useful information on how nutrition label could guide the consumer to make healthier food choices and serve as a reference point that could stimulate and guide future researchers and other relevant parties, this study is limited by several factors that require replication in future research.
Originality/value
This research is perhaps one of the first attempts to consider the role of nutrition label as one of the ways to comply with the Tayyib principle.
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Reezlin Abdul Rahman, Mohd Salehuddin Mohd Zahari, Mohd Hafiz Hanafiah and Mohd Nor Mamat
The available research works dealing with Halal food are centrally concerned with the Halal certification, logistics, export market, consumer awareness and business ethics with…
Abstract
Purpose
The available research works dealing with Halal food are centrally concerned with the Halal certification, logistics, export market, consumer awareness and business ethics with minimal study explores Muslim consumers’ purchase behaviour of Syubhah semi-processed food. The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between Muslim consumers’ knowledge on the wholesomeness, labelling, trust and purchase behaviour of Syubhah semi-processed food.
Design/methodology/approach
The study respondents are Muslim consumers in the semi and rural areas. Through a self-administered survey, 780 usable responses were successfully collected. The study hypotheses were analysed using the partial least squares structural equation modelling. Mediation analyses were conducted, focusing on the effect of trust on the relationship between consumer knowledge on the wholesomeness, labelling and purchase behaviour of Syubhah semi-processed food.
Findings
This study confirms that lack of knowledge on the wholesomeness and labelling among the semi and rural Muslim consumers influences them to purchase the Syubhah semi-processed food. Trust significantly plays a significant mediation role on the consumer Syubhah semi-processed food purchase behaviour.
Originality/value
This study confirms there is lack of knowledge among the semi and rural Muslim consumers on Syubhah semi-processed food. Such pessimistic indications of Syubhah food products carry varying consequences and implications for Muslim consumers, Halal food producers and the relevant religious authorities.