The data collection of this present study was carried out in the centralised air-conditioned library of Nanyang Polytechnic of Singapore. The oral and axilla temperature were measured between 1600 hours to 1900 hours on 28 January, 2010.
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The relationship between oral and axilla temperature was studied in a quota sample of a total of 30 young adults, whereby we had chosen 15 males and 15 females from NYP library. The 30 young adults that were involved in this research were Nanyang Polytechnic students. They were between the ages of 18 years and 27 years.
The inclusion of criteria comprised the following before their temperature are taken:
- · Healthy individuals without ongoing febrile illness, systemic, oral disease and skin disease over the axilla site.
- · Non-smokers.
- · The absence of medication in the form of anti-inflammatory, antihypertensive, or corticoid drugs during the week prior to the study.
- · No food or drink consumption, or oral washing, in the 30 minutes before the exploration.
- · Did not perform vigorous activity, e.g. jogging or exercise prior to temperature taking.
- · No application of deodorant or of anything else to the axilla measurement surface.
Temperature was recorded by digital clinical thermometer. There were 4 thermometers altogether, 2 were used for oral temperature taking and the other 2 were used for axilla temperature taking. Digital clinical thermometers (microlife®) were used. Proper functioning of the thermometer was tested automatically each time it was turned on, if a malfunction was detected, this was indicated “ERR” on the display and a measurement becomes impossible. No malfunction of the thermometers was detected. All the digital thermometers were in good condition. During a measurement, the current temperature was displayed continuously. The “ºC” symbol flashes during this period of time. If the signaling tone sounds (beep- beep-beep- beep-) for 10 times and the “ºC” was no longer flashing, this meant that the measurement of increase in temperature was now less than 0.1ºC in 16 seconds and that the thermometer was ready for reading.
All the measurements in each individual were carried out within 15 minutes. The temperatures were taken 3 consecutive times at the same sites and recorded to get the mean of the readings. Oral readings were taken before axilla readings.
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All thermometers with a disposable shield were changed and swiped with 70% alcohol spirit® for each repeated measurements in each intraoral and axilla fold anatomic regions. The same site was used for repeated measurements; sublingually left posterior pocket in the oral cavity for oral temperature and right axilla fold to measure axilla temperature.
The purpose of the research was explained to the subjects and the methods of obtaining the oral and axilla temperatures had been given in verbal and practical instructions to the subjects.
The thermometer was kept underneath the subject’s tongue, sublingually, left posterior pocket in the oral cavity with mouth covered closely. Subjects were instructed not to talk and not to bite on the thermometer during oral temperature taking. The thermometer was kept until the temperature reading was finalised on the thermometer.
For axilla temperature taking, the thermometer was placed deep in the right axillary fold and the arm was firmly held down. The arm was held close to the subject and subjects were instructed not to move until the temperature taking was completed. Finalised reading of the thermometer for both oral and axilla readings was taken when the signaling tone sounds (beep- beep-beep- beep-) for 10 times and the “ºC” was no longer flashing.
No rejections were encountered from the subjects.
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