Efficacy of animated television series on oral health knowledge in a linguistically isolated population

Background: The intergenerational language gap between many immigrant parents and their English-dominant children has significant effects on health and health communication.

Objective: To devise and test an innovative, animated series that addresses oral health knowledge and vocabulary and culturally-sensitive inter-generational communication for parents and children aged 4-8.

Methods: The 15-minute pilot episode was screened by groups of Pediatric Dental Health Professionals. 26 Mandarin-English parent-child pairs were then recruited from a community health center in NYC, NY. Subjects were shown the episode and tested on linguistic and health knowledge pre-viewing, immediately post-viewing, and at a retention test 2 weeks later. During this two-week period families were encouraged to co-view the episode numerous times.

Results: Reported average number of home viewings was 12 (range 2-33). Both parents (par) and children(ch) achieved statistically significant gains in health (H)and linguistic (L) knowledge on the post- and retention tests as compared to the pre-test (Mean Scores (H): (ch)54%; 63%;73% (P = 0.003; <0.001); (par):66%; 80%; 87% (P <0.001; <0.001). Mean Scores (L): (ch) 39%; 56%; 63% (P <0.001; <0.001); (par) 67%; 90%; 96% (P= 0.001; <0.001).

Conclusion: This animated series promises to be an effective tool in communicating oral health and linguistic knowledge to immigrant populations, with results persisting over at least a 2-week period. Although behavioral change was not measured, these findings may have implications for health promotion, health literacy and disease prevention for numerous childhood health issues among linguistically isolated populations.