Abstract
BackgroundSelf-perceived health is an essential measure of health status and even a paramount predictor of mortality. So long as it is said that oral health (OH) and general health (GH) are mirrors to each other. This study sought to determine how Yemeni adults rate their OH and GH, whether such a self-rating influenced by some potential risk factors, and whether both ratings (OH and GH) are correlated.MethodsA sample of 587 Yemeni dental patients aged 20 years and over were consecutively recruited. A structured interview form was used covering the following variables: age, gender, marital status, educational level, presence of dental prosthesis (DP), smoking and Qat chewing habits as independent variables, along with questions on “perceived oral health (POH)” and “perceived general health (PGH)” as dependent variables. The bivariate and multiple ordinal regression analyses were applied at P-value < 0.05.ResultsMost of participants were women (73.6%), and married (71.4%), and more than half of them were young adults (58.2%), with high educational levels (53.3%), and not having DP. Only 310 participants responded to the questions on smoking and Qat chewing habits. Of these, 88.5% were non-smokers and 62.1% were Qat non-chewers. Up to 50% of the participants reported their POH as poor or fair, while lower proportions of participants (17%) reported their PGH as such. Younger age (compared to elders), high education levels (compared to primary education) and being single (compared to married) significantly revealed better levels of POH, while high education levels and being females significantly revealed better levels of PGH. Smoking and Qat chewing habits were found to have no effect on the perception of POH or PGH. POH and PGH were found to be significantly correlated (r = 0.486; P < 0.001).ConclusionHigher levels of oral health problems can be anticipated among patients who perceive poor general health, and vice versa. The age, marital status and education were independent determinants of POH, while the gender and education were independent determinants of PGH.
Highlights
Self-perceived health is an essential measure of health status and even a paramount predictor of mortality
general health (GH) and oral health (OH) cannot be viewed separately. They are integral of each other; OH is considered as a mirror through which the GH is reflected in most instances
310 participants responded to the questions on smoking and Qat chewing habits
Summary
Self-perceived health is an essential measure of health status and even a paramount predictor of mortality. Long as it is said that oral health (OH) and general health (GH) are mirrors to each other. Alhajj et al BMC Oral Health (2019) 19:93 psychosocial state of well-being and is essential to an individual’s general health and quality of life” [11]. GH and OH cannot be viewed separately. They are integral of each other; OH is considered as a mirror through which the GH is reflected in most instances. Many oral/periodontal pathogens have been reported to predispose to cardiovascular diseases [12, 13], and respiratory diseases such as chronic bronchitis, pneumonia, and chronic pulmonary obstructive disease (CPOD) [14, 15]. Dysfunction of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) may be a part of a more generalized involvement - osteoarthritis for example -, and bone mass reduction in the mandible has been detected as a sign of osteoporosis [19, 20]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
