Table 1 Comparison between children’s knowledge about nail-biting in control and intervention groups, before and after intervention
Knowledge about Nail-Biting | Pretest | Posttest | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
Study Group (n = 67) | Control Group (n = 68) | Study Group (n = 67) | Control Group (n = 68) | |
No. (%) | No. (%) | No. (%) | No. (%) | |
Nail-biting is a habitual behavior that involves biting or chewing on the nails, cuticles, or surrounding skin. | 47(70.1) | 53(77.9) | 63(96.0) | 65(95.6) |
Nail-biting is one of the self-soothing or tension-relieving behaviors seen in both children and adults. | 39(58.2) | 36(52.9) | 62(92.5) | 54(79.4) |
Nail biting can be stimulated by stress, anxiety, and boredom and can occur unconsciously during periods of concentration or relaxation. | 29(43.3) | 33(48.5) | 65(97.0) | 46(67.6) |
Nail-biting can be learned by imitating these habits among parents, siblings, or colleagues. | 22(32.8) | 35(51.5) | 57(85.1) | 48(70.6) |
Nail-biting may cause pain and bleeding and increase the risk of infections to the nails and surrounding skin. | 36(53.7) | 34(50.0) | 56(83.6) | 44(64.7) |
Nail biting may be associated with oral problems, such as gingival injury and malocclusion of the anterior teeth. | 22(32.8) | 28(41.2) | 59(88.1) | 44(64.7) |
Nail-biting can transfer microorganisms buried under the surface of the nail to GIT. | 41(61.2) | 42(61.8) | 58(86.6) | 43(63.2) |
A temporary relief or distraction from emotional or psychological discomfort can redirect the urge of nail biting. | 33(49.3) | 24(35.3) | 64(95.5) | 53(77.9) |
Simple praise for remembering is a helpful strategy to quit nail biting. | 22(32.8) | 28(41.2) | 60(89.6) | 46(67.6) |
Punishment is quite a helpful strategy to quit nail biting. * | 25 (37.3) | 23(33.8) | 66(100.0) | 53(77.9) |