Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Children with special health care needs (CSHCN) rely heavily on their caregivers. Therefore, caregivers must possess adequate oral health knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) to maintain the oral health of CSHCN. OBJECTIVES: To assess caregivers' oral health KAP toward CSHCN. METHODS: A cross-sectional study using convenience sampling was conducted. Data from 295 caregivers attending support group meetings in Harare Province were analyzed using STATA, with p < 0.05 considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Most caregivers were aged 31-40, with cerebral palsy being the most common disability. Caregivers' oral health knowledge and practices were satisfactory, while their attitudes were good. Significant associations were found between caregivers' oral health knowledge and educational level (p = 0.001), and between oral health attitude and both educational level and employment status (p = 0.001, p = 0.003, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Caregivers generally had a positive attitude. However, their knowledge about oral health and their practical application of this knowledge was fair. This could be due to a lack of sufficient information or skills to effectively implement good oral health practices.