Resumo

FERNANDES, Izabella Barbosa et al. Parafunctional habits in children between 36 and 71 months of age: prevalence and associated factors. Arq. Odontol. [online]. 2013, vol.49, n.3, pp. 126-132. ISSN 1516-0939.

Aim: The present study aimed to determine the prevalence of parafunctional habits in children and evaluate possible associations with breastfeeding, bottle feeding, income, and mother's educational level. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out involving 592 children from 36 to 71 months of age of age and their mothers. Data were collected through interviews with mothers during child vaccination campaigns in 2010 in the city of Diamantina, Brazil. The dependent variable (parafunctional habits) was determined through mothers' reports considering nonnutritive sucking, biting on objects, and other habits at the time of the interview. The independent variables included gender, child's age, health problems, breastfeeding, bottle feeding, monthly income, and mother's educational level. Statistical analysis was carried out using the SPSS program for Windows and involved descriptive statistics, the chi-square test (p < 0.05), and Poisson regression with robust variance. Results: The prevalence of parafunctional habits was 42.2% (n = 250), the most frequent of which were nonnutritive sucking habits (17.6%). Parafunctional habits were more frequent among children who had not been breastfed (p = 0.004) and those who had been bottle fed (p < 0.001). Parafunctional habits were significantly associated with the mother's educational level (p = 0.006) and the number of children in the family (p = 0.009). The multivariate analysis revealed a greater prevalence rate of parafunctional habits among children who had been bottle fed (PR: 1.40; 95% CI: 0.5-0.8), those who had not been breastfed (PR: 1.41; 95% CI: 1.1-1.8), and those whose mothers had more than eight years of schooling (PR: 1.32; 95% CI: 1.0-1.6). Conclusion: The prevalence of parafunctional habits was high in the present study and was associated with a lack of breastfeeding, the use of bottle feeding, and a higher educational level among the mothers.

Palavras-chave : Habits; Breast Feeding; Fingersucking.