DIFFERENCE IN USING LEAFLET AND AUDIO-VISUAL MEDIA TOWARDS TOOTHBRUSHING KNOWLEDGE AMONG STUDENTS

Abstract

Background: Effective dental health education, crucial for children, can be achieved through diverse media like leaflets and audio-visual tools. The 2018 Basic Health Research (Riskesdas) highlighted alarming dental health issues, with only 2.1% of Indonesian children aged 10-14 practicing twice-daily toothbrushing. North Sulawesi exhibited a meager 3.5% understanding of the proper brushing times, resulting in 96.3% brushing without awareness of the correct timing. Objective: This study aimed to analyze the effectiveness of leaflets and audio-visual media on toothbrushing knowledge among SDN Bangomolunow students. Method: Employing a quasi-experimental Pretest-Posttest Control Group design, 56 students were selected using purposive sampling and Slovin's formula. The research involved pre-tests, education for Group A via leaflets, and Group B via audio-visual media, followed by post-tests. The variable assessed was the level of knowledge of toothbrushing using a questionnaire instrument on how to brush teeth properly and correctly. Data analysis to show effectiveness uses the independent t-test. Results: The independent t-test resulted in a p-value of 0.037 which shows that both leaflet and audio-visual media are effective. However, there is a difference in the mean value where the mean for the audio-visual group is greater, namely 26.04, compared to the mean for the leaflet group, namely 24.75. Conclusion: In conclusion, employing audio-visual media for dental health education proved more effective in enhancing toothbrushing knowledge among SDN Bangomolunow students compared to leaflet-based education.