PURPOSE: To examine the relationship between oral health literacy and oral health by adapting a valid oral health literacy instrument. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A random sample of 715 students from 9 institutes was included in the study. Oral health literacy (OHL) was assessed by making the students pronounce a list of 40 words from REALD-99. Oral health status (OHL) was assessed using a modified WHO (1997) proforma. A stepwise logistic regression analysis was performed to assess the impact of independent factors on oral health literacy. RESULTS: The response rate was 97.9%; 15 students refused to participate, leaving 700 participants in the final sample. The mean age of the participants was 20.35±1.66 years. A statistically significant difference was observed in OHL according to the clinical parameters. Caries prevalence was higher among subjects with low OHL with a mean DMFT score of 2.69±1.53, compared with high-OHL students having a mean DMFT of 0.22±0.4. Similarly, oral hygiene status was poor among subjects with low OHL (1.53±0.6). Community periodontal index (CPI) scores were lower (1.06±0.8) in subjects with high OHL than in those with low literacy (CPI: 1.6±0.6). CONCLUSION: The present study revealed a negative correlation between oral health literacy and clinical parameters measured, that is, higher oral health literacy was associated with better oral health.
PURPOSE: To examine the relationship between oral health literacy and oral health by adapting a valid oral health literacy instrument. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A random sample of 715 students from 9 institutes was included in the study. Oral health literacy (OHL) was assessed by making the students pronounce a list of 40 words from REALD-99. Oral health status (OHL) was assessed using a modified WHO (1997) proforma. A stepwise logistic regression analysis was performed to assess the impact of independent factors on oral health literacy. RESULTS: The response rate was 97.9%; 15 students refused to participate, leaving 700 participants in the final sample. The mean age of the participants was 20.35±1.66 years. A statistically significant difference was observed in OHL according to the clinical parameters. Caries prevalence was higher among subjects with low OHL with a mean DMFT score of 2.69±1.53, compared with high-OHL students having a mean DMFT of 0.22±0.4. Similarly, oral hygiene status was poor among subjects with low OHL (1.53±0.6). Community periodontal index (CPI) scores were lower (1.06±0.8) in subjects with high OHL than in those with low literacy (CPI: 1.6±0.6). CONCLUSION: The present study revealed a negative correlation between oral health literacy and clinical parameters measured, that is, higher oral health literacy was associated with better oral health.
Authors: Angela G Brega; Luohua Jiang; Rachel L Johnson; Anne R Wilson; Sarah J Schmiege; Judith Albino Journal: J Racial Ethn Health Disparities Date: 2020-05-08
Authors: Muhammad Zulkefli Ramlay; Norkhafizah Saddki; Mon Mon Tin-Oo; Wan Nor Arifin Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2020-07-28 Impact factor: 3.390