Background
Essential health care programme in the Philippines
Fit for School health outcome study
Methods
Study design
Experimental groups
Experimental group 1
Experimental group 2
Experimental group 3
Control groups
External concurrent control group (Group C1)
Internal non-concurrent control group (Group C2)
Examiner training and calibration
Anthropometric measures
Parasitological examination
Oral examination
Statistical analysis
Indicators | Experimental group 1 | External concurrent control group (C1) | Difference between increments (p-value) | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
n=168 | n=173 | ||||||
Baseline | 1-year | increment | Baseline | 1-year | increment | ||
Mean BMI | 14.70 (0.11) | 14.88 (0.13) | 0.18 (0.06) | 14.65 (0.11) | 14.62 (0.11) | −0.03 (0.05) | Student-t p<0.01 |
Prevalence of below normal BMI | 29.2% (3.5) | 27.8% (3.5) | −1.4% | 31.8% (3.5) | 37.6% (3.7) | 5.8% | Chi-square NS |
Prevalence of moderate to heavy STH infection | 17.2% (2.9) | 10.7% (2.4) | −6.5% | 32.0% (3.5) | 17.3% (2.9) | −14.7 | Chi-square p<0.001 |
Mean DMFS in permanent first molars | 0.82 (0.12) | 1.54 (0.17) | 0.72 (0.10) | 1.12 (0.16) | 1.99 (0.24) | 0.87 (0.14) | Student-t NS |
Mean PUFA in permanent first molars | 0.060 (0.02) | 0.137 (0.03) | 0.077 (0.02) | 0.087 (0.03) | 0.220 (0.05) | 0.133 (0.03) | Student-t NS P = 0.068 |
Indicators | Experimental group (1) | Internal non-concurrent control group (Group C2) | Difference between groups (p-value) |
---|---|---|---|
n = 168 | n = 133 | ||
Mean age | 7.56 (0.04) | 7.47 (0.04) | Student-t NS |
% of boys | 50.6% (3.9) | 46.6% (4.3) | Chi-square NS |
Mean number of siblings | 3.12 (0.16) | 3.07 (0.16) | Student-t NS |
Prevalence of TV ownership | 70.4% (3.5) | 76.7% (3.7) | Chi-square NS |
Mean BMI | 14.88 (0.13) | 14.86 (0.12) | Student-t NS |
Prevalence of children categorized as below normal BMI | 27.8% (3.5) | 22.6% (3.6) | Chi-square NS |
Prevalence of children with moderate to heavy STH infection | 10.7% (2.4) | 12.4% (2.9%) | Chi-square NS |
Mean DMFS of permanent first molars | 1.54 (0.18) | 1.53 (0.20) | Student-t NS |
Mean PUFA of permanent first molars | 0.137 (0.03) | 0.188 (0.05) | Student-t NS |
Ethical considerations
Results
Reproducibility assessments
Baseline data collection
Indicators | Experimental group (Group 1) | External concurrent control Group (Group C1) | Difference between groups (p-value) |
---|---|---|---|
n = 200 | n = 212 | ||
Mean age | 6.47 (0.04) | 6.37 (0.04) | Student–t NS |
% of boys | 52.0% (3.5) | 47.1% (3.4) | Chi-square NS |
Mean number of siblings | 3.34 (0.16) | 3.10 (0.13) | Student–t NS |
Prevalence of TV ownership | 67.5% (3.3) | 70.3% (3.1) | Chi-square NS |
Mean BMI | 14.73 (0.10) | 14.64 (0.09) | Student–t NS |
Prevalence of children categorized as below normal BMI | 28.5% (3.2) | 31.6% (3.2) | Chi-square NS |
Prevalence of children with moderate to heavy STH infection | 17.4% (2.9) | 31.1% (3.2) | Chi-square p = 0.0013 |
Mean DMFS of permanent first molars | 0.80 (0.11) | 1.16 (0.15) | Student–t NS |
Mean PUFA of permanent first molars | 0.065 (0.02) | 0.090 (0.03) | Student–t NS |
Mean dmft primary dentition | 7.74 (0.30) | 8.27 (0.31) | Student–t NS |
Mean pufa primary dentition | 3.14 (0.20) | 3.11 (0.17) | Student–t NS |
Prevalence dmft>0 | 97.0% (1.2) | 97.2% (1.1) | Chi-square NS |
Prevalence DMFT>0 for permanent first molars | 37.0% (3.4) | 42.0% (3.4) | Chi-square NS |
Characteristics of children lost to follow-up
Longitudinal design—comparison between experimental group 1 and external concurrent control group after 1 year
Cross-sectional design—comparison between experimental group 1 and internal non-concurrent control group
Discussion
Health outcome assessment of school health programmes
Study design and methodology
Compliance with study protocol
Considerations related to BMI
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An association between severe caries (PUFA) and low BMI was found in a representative sample of 12-year-old Filipino schoolchildren [37].
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Treatment of severe caries in 5-year-old Filipino children resulted in a significant increase in BMI [38], but the magnitude of the effect caused by using fluoride toothpaste is unknown.
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Medication against STH infection in combination with daily handwashing has a potential beneficial effect on BMI; however, the extent of this combined effect is not known.