Desenho de uma intervenção para prevenir cárie precoce na infância por meio da mudança de comportamentos em saúde: abordagem multimétodos

Abstract

Objective: Our purpose was to design an oral health behavioral change intervention to prevent early childhood dental caries through family behavior change that could be sustained by Primary Health Care, in Brazil. Methods: Intervention Mapping and the Theoretical Domain Framework were used to guide the intervention planning process. A systematic literature review identified current oral health interventions. A population-based oral health survey with 1,123 mother-child dyads provided data on family oral health behaviors and children s prevalence of caries and dental plaque. In-depth interviews with 32 families evaluated their beliefs, motivations, and barriers to adopting oral health preventive behaviors. Six focus groups with health providers, community health workers and families provided insights into program logistics and to assess the perceived relevance of educational materials. Challenges and opportunities were also identified to maximize feasibility of implementation and program acceptability. Results: Triangulating on these data sources helped to identify relevant behavioral determinants and the most appropriate intervention strategies for the target population. The proposed intervention includes two components: a) seven group-based wellness sessions with an accompanying a video series and b) an oral health campaign and printed educational materials for parents and children. Conclusions: Systematic intervention planning using a mixed-methods approach is key for developing a theory-informed, relevant, and potentially efficacious oral health intervention. This approach to intervention planning can inform the work of others seeking to reach young children and their families.