Assessment of Media impact on changing oral health behaviors among university students in Kurdistan Region-Iraq

Abstract

Media campaigns are generally used to deliver health messages to high number of populations through various types of Media. The Media is used in all aspects of public issues with the expectation of three influences; providing exact health information and relevant data, health behaviours and its value changes, and building new healthier behaviours. This study focused on the outcomes of massive Media campaigns and their effects on different hazardous oral.
 Aims of the Study Were: to determine the level of awareness and knowledge of people about oral health, evaluate the role of Media on oral health behaviours and promotion, and assessment of the peoples` practice towards oral health awareness.
 Methods: This cross-sectional study was applied on 1223 Students from different classes at Kurdistan Region universities who were interviewed by well-trained researchers. A questionnaire was used which included information about demographic distribution; source of health information; awareness about Media campaigns regarding health programs. Statistical package for Social Sciences (SPSS, version 19.0) was used to present the analysis.
 Results: Fifty two point nine percent (N= 893) of the students used internet particularly as the most common source of getting oral health information (P ≤ 0.05), highest percentage of the students 54.8% (N=670) reported to have knowledge on oral health Media campaigns.
 Conclusion: The study revealed that social media had an important role in changing oral health behaviours among the studied sample. Oral hygiene practices of the sample noticed to be higher compared to similar age groups in the neighbouring countries.