Abstract
This study aims to investigate variables related to adherence to oral self-care in the Brazilian adult population. It is an exploratory study, using secondary data from a population-based survey on a representative sample of the adult population of the entire Brazilian territory (n=60202). The sample was selected using a multiple stage approach. The oral self-care indicator was defined by grouping the variables: periodicity of dentist appointments, use of dental floss, toothbrush and toothpaste, frequency of brushing and replacement of the toothbrush. The scores obtained from the indicator were categorized into adequate, partially adequate, and inadequate care. Statistical analysis consisted of dimensionality reduction, and oral self-care-related variables were submitted to logistic regression. The variables mostly related to inadequate or partially adequate oral self-care were: illiteracy (OR = 11.20, OR = 4.81), low educational level (OR = 3.50, OR = 1.96), negative oral health self-concept (OR=3.73, OR=1.74), absence of natural teeth (OR = 4.98, OR=2.60), edentulous lower arch (OR = 3.09; _____), number of missing upper teeth (OR=1.14, OR=1.05), absence of health insurance (OR=2.23, OR=2.07), sedentary lifestyle (OR=2.77, OR=1.51), and smoking (OR=2.18, OR=1.40). It was concluded that the individual's level of education is one of the main factors for adherence to adequate oral self-care, followed by level of oral health self-concept and tooth loss. Likewise, lifestyle also bears a significant influence.
Highlights
The World Health Organization (WHO) defines self-care as the ability of individuals, families, and communities to promote quality of life, prevent disease and maintain health, and cope with disease and disability with or without the support of a healthcare practitioner.[1,2] Generally speaking, self-care can be defined as the practice of voluntary and intentional activities that individuals perform for their own benefit and for the purpose of preserving life, health, and wellbeing.[3]Authors advocate that self-care should assume a central role in the field of social and preventive healthcare, since the current objective ofBraz
In the field of oral health, the recognition and analysis of the process of acquiring individual autonomy is under construction, and studies predominantly show an association between oral self-care and isolated factors.[7,8,9,10,11]
The objective of this study was to investigate multiple variables related to adherence to oral self-care in the Brazilian adult population, using an indicator that encompasses several factors representing oral healthcare
Summary
Authors advocate that self-care should assume a central role in the field of social and preventive healthcare, since the current objective of. Determinants of oral self-care in the Brazilian adult population health interventions is more related to the response given to life processes than to the disease itself.[4,5]. Self-care may be affected by basal factors such as age, sex, education, income, health condition and support network,[6] and by distal factors such as sociocultural orientation, family issues and environment, lifestyle, and adequacy and availability of public resources[6]. In the field of oral health, the recognition and analysis of the process of acquiring individual autonomy is under construction, and studies predominantly show an association between oral self-care and isolated factors.[7,8,9,10,11]
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