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Evaluation of Oral Hygiene-Related Mobile Apps for Children in Sub-Saharan Africa

Author

Listed:
  • Aida Kanoute

    (Public Health Service, Department of Dentistry, Cheikh Anta Diop University, Dakar 10700, Senegal
    These authors contributed equally to the work.)

  • Florence Carrouel

    (Health, Systemic, Process (P2S), UR 4129 Research Unit, University Claude Bernard Lyon 1, University of Lyon, 69008 Lyon, France
    These authors contributed equally to the work.)

  • Jocelyne Gare

    (Health, Systemic, Process (P2S), UR 4129 Research Unit, University Claude Bernard Lyon 1, University of Lyon, 69008 Lyon, France
    Public Health Laboratory (LASAP), ED2S Doctoral School of Sciences and Health, University Joseph Ki Zerbo, Ouagadougou 7021, Burkina Faso)

  • Serigne Ndame Dieng

    (Public Health Service, Department of Dentistry, Cheikh Anta Diop University, Dakar 10700, Senegal)

  • Amadou Dieng

    (Public Health Service, Department of Dentistry, Cheikh Anta Diop University, Dakar 10700, Senegal)

  • Mbathio Diop

    (Public Health Service, Department of Dentistry, Cheikh Anta Diop University, Dakar 10700, Senegal)

  • Daouda Faye

    (Public Health Service, Department of Dentistry, Cheikh Anta Diop University, Dakar 10700, Senegal)

  • Laurie Fraticelli

    (Health, Systemic, Process (P2S), UR 4129 Research Unit, University Claude Bernard Lyon 1, University of Lyon, 69008 Lyon, France
    These authors contributed equally to the work.)

  • Denis Bourgeois

    (Health, Systemic, Process (P2S), UR 4129 Research Unit, University Claude Bernard Lyon 1, University of Lyon, 69008 Lyon, France
    Hospices Civils de Lyon (HCL), 69002 Lyon, France
    These authors contributed equally to the work.)

Abstract

In sub-Saharan Africa, oral health is a real epidemiological challenge. Mobile applications represent a hope for the learning of oral hygiene in children and the fight against oral diseases. This study overviews and assesses the quality of mobile applications linked to oral hygiene for children currently featured on the iOS and Android stores in sub-Saharan Africa. Ten oral health professionals (OHP) used the French Mobile App Rating Scale (MARS-F) to rate 15 selected applications. The highest MARS-F scores for overall quality were reported for Bonne nuit Caillou (3.89 ± 0.74), Mon Raccoon (3.63 ± 0.95), and Chomper Chums (3.54 ± 0.54) while the lowest MARS-F scores for overall quality were achieved by Brushing time (2.31 ± 0.61), De belles dents (2.55 ± 0.55) and Brushing Hero (2.77 ± 0.53). The subjective quality scores ranged from 1.50 ± 0.68 for Brushing time to 3.25 ± 0.97 for Bonne nuit Caillou . Specificity scores ranged from 1.95 ± 0.88 (Brushing time) to 3.75 ± 0.84 ( Bonne nuit Caillou ). Thus, OHP rated positively the quality of the majority of mobile applications linked to oral hygiene for children, their effect on users’ knowledge, attitudes, and intentions to change, and the probability of effective oral hygiene behavior modification. They stated that they would recommend their use to their patients who need them. However, studies analyzing the change in oral hygiene behavior of children using these apps need to be conducted.

Suggested Citation

  • Aida Kanoute & Florence Carrouel & Jocelyne Gare & Serigne Ndame Dieng & Amadou Dieng & Mbathio Diop & Daouda Faye & Laurie Fraticelli & Denis Bourgeois, 2022. "Evaluation of Oral Hygiene-Related Mobile Apps for Children in Sub-Saharan Africa," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(19), pages 1-16, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:19:p:12565-:d:931454
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Anna Peters & Karolin Brandt & Andreas Wienke & Hans-Günter Schaller, 2022. "Regional Disparities in Caries Experience and Associating Factors of Ghanaian Children Aged 3 to 13 Years in Urban Accra and Rural Kpando," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(9), pages 1-13, May.
    2. Florence Carrouel & Denis Bourgeois & Céline Clément & Delphine Tardivo & Prescilla Martinon & Sébastien Guiral & Romain Lan & Stéphane Viennot & Claude Dussart & Laurie Fraticelli, 2022. "Oral-Hygiene-Related Mobile Apps in the French App Stores: Assessment of Functionality and Quality," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(12), pages 1-14, June.
    3. Georges V. Houngbonon & Erwan Le Quentrec & Stefania Rubrichi, 2021. "Access to electricity and digital inclusion: evidence from mobile call detail records," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 8(1), pages 1-11, December.
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