THE EFFECT OF THE POP-UP BOOK AKU DAN GIGIKU ON PULSE RATE IN CHILDREN AGED 4–6 YEARS

Objective: Anxiety is regarded as a major problem in children undergoing dental treatment. One of the physiological responses to anxiety is an increased pulse rate. Young children respond aggressively to anxiety and are in need of psychological intervention. Pop-up books can be used as an instrument to improve their interest and to help them understand the substance of dental health education.The objective of this study was to utilize pulse rate measurements to investigate the intervention of a pop-up book in reducing anxiety. A total of 78 children aged 4–6 years were divided into two groups: An intervention group with the pop-up book Aku dan Gigiku and a control group without intervention. The pulse rates of both groups were measured. This study comprised an experimental clinical research design. The independent t-test was used to measure comparisons of decreased pulse rate between the two groups.Result: The result showed that there was a statistically significant difference in decreased pulse rate with and without the intervention of the pop-up book Aku dan Gigiku. Pop-up books are often used as an educational medium for children because they present interesting illustrations and are easy to understand.Conclusion: As a medium of dental health education, pop-up books can contribute significantly to reducing anxiety in children

THE EFFECT OF THE POP-UP BOOK AKU DAN GIGIKU ON BLOOD PRESSURE IN CHILDREN AGED 4–6 YEARS

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of the pop-up book Aku dan gigiku as an intervention strategy in reducing anxiety in young children before dentaltreatment.Methods: 78 children aged 4–6 years were randomly divided into two groups: An intervention group with the pop-up book intervention and a control group without the pop-up book intervention. They were placed in a waiting room, and their blood pressure was measured. The experimental design of this clinical research was statistically analyzed using independent t-tests to compare decreased blood pressure between the intervention and control groups.Results: The result of the study revealed that there was a statistically significant difference in decreased blood pressure with the intervention of the pop-up book Aku dan gigiku. As dental anxiety leads to undesirable distresses, it generates physiological changes such as blood pressure. Interventions should thus be undertaken to reduce dentalanxiety, and the pop-up book is an example of an intervention medium as it educates children and presents interesting illustrations.Conclusion: The pop-up book Aku dan gigiku thus appears to be an effective method in reducing anxiety in children aged 4–6 years when used as an intervention strategy before dental treatment.Â