Oral Health-seeking Behaviors Research Articles

Cultural factors and family influences on adolescent oral health: qualitative research in a socially disadvantaged population.

This qualitative study sought to assess the influence of cultural factors and family on oral health behaviour of 12- to 15-year-old adolescents from the socially disadvantaged population. A qualitative design was developed with focus group discussions (FGDs) among 12- to 15-year-old adolescents. Four focus groups (n = 32 participants) were created from a selected sample to capture oral health beliefs and practices, oral health-seeking behaviour along with other relevant information. Focus group discussions were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and translated. Data were analysed thematically and structural coding was applied. Three key themes that emerged from FGDs were importance of oral health; role of family in oral health behaviour; and beliefs influencing access, prevention and treatment of oral diseases. Cultural background, family values and beliefs were imperative in moulding the behaviour of adolescents towards oral health. The use of traditional oral hygiene aides was a norm in this population. Findings of the study provide greater insights into the authoritative role of family and cultural barriers in the uptake of dental services. The study also highlights the potential value of qualitative research and emphasizes the need to integrate oral health-associated cultural beliefs and attitudes of the adolescents towards a wider evidence base.

Factors Influencing Oral Health-Seeking Behaviour among Adult Dental Patients at the Dental Training School, in the Lusaka District of Zambia

Factors Influencing Oral Health-Seeking Behaviour among Adult Dental Patients at the Dental Training School, in the Lusaka District of Zambia

Oral health seeking behaviour among patients attending outpatient clinic in University of Ilorin teaching hospital (UITH) Ilorin

Introduction: In sub – Saharan Africa, oral health services are greatly hampered by low availability and poor accessibility to health care and these are various interrelated factors responsible. This study determined the factors that influence oral health seeking behavior among patients attending outpatients' clinic.Methodology: A total of 460patients were selected into the study from the outpatients' clinic using systematic random sampling. Data was collected and was analyzed using SPSS 17. The significant level was set at 0.05Results: Of the 97.3% of the respondents with awareness of oral health facility, 90.9% of them had oral health facility within 5km distance. The commonest complaint was toothache. Majority of the respondents (88.2%) accessed orthodox oral health services mostly for teeth extraction (61.3%). There was statistically significant difference between the awareness of Oral health facility and closeness to residence.Conclusion:Age, awareness and attitude have positive effect on health seeking behavior of patients.

Oral health seeking behaviors of adults in Nebbi District, Uganda: a community-based survey

BackgroundDental health is often neglected by the majority of the population and has contributed to the global burden of oral diseases. We assessed awareness, utilization and barriers to seeking oral health care among adults in Nebbi District, Uganda.MethodsA community-based, cross sectional study was conducted in the central division, Nebbi District in Uganda among adults between the age of 18 years or older. An interviewer-administered, semi-structured questionnaire was used for data collection on socio-demographic characteristics, oral health awareness, oral health utilization, associated factors and barriers.ResultsA total of 400 adults with a median age of 32 years (interquartile range 24–43) years were enrolled. More than half (57.5%, n = 230) of the participants were female. Participants identified smoking (42.8%, n = 171) and consumption of sugary foodstuffs (29.0%, n = 116) as risk factors for oral disease. Not brushing was also identified by 260 participants (65.0%) as the cause of tooth decay and 95.8% (n = 383) believed brushing one’s teeth could prevent tooth decay. Of the 51.5% (n = 206) who had experienced a toothache or discomfort 12 months prior to the study but only about half (52%, n = 106) had sought healthcare from a dental clinic or facility. About 89.5% (n = 94) of the participants were able to see a dentist during their last visits. Dental carries (76.6%, n = 70) and gum bleeding (14.9%, n = 14) were the most frequent reasons for visiting a dental clinic, and 73.7% (n = 70) had their tooth extracted. Barriers to seeking oral healthcare were cost of treatment (47.5%, n = 190), and long waiting time (18.5%, n = 74). The odds of seeking oral healthcare was 2.8-fold higher in participants who were being married (Odds ratio (OR): 2.8, 95% CI 1.3–6.3, p = 0.011) and 3.5-fold higher among housewives (COR: 3.5, 95% CI 1.1–11.4, p = 0.040).ConclusionAbout half of the participants had sought healthcare following a dental condition. Cost of treatment seems to be an important factor affecting utilization of oral health services. Optimization of costs, and creating awareness regarding benefits of utilizing preventive dental services are recommended.

Oral Health Awareness Among Parents of Differently Abled Children : A study in North Indian Population

Introduction Good oral health is of paramount importance not only for chewing but also plays a major rolein overall healthy development of a child. Differently abled children may not be able to look after their oralhealth and hygiene themselves. Every child has the equal right for healthy development and opportunities invarious fields of life. As most of the differently-abled children perform their regular activities with the helpof or under the supervision of a family member or caregiver, it is important for the parents or caregivers tohave sufficient knowledge about oral hygiene measures in order to guide the child efficiently.Materials and Method: A structured modified oral health awareness questionnaire having two componentssociodemographic data and questionnaire- related to oral hygiene habits, sugar exposure, and oral healthseeking behaviour was constructed. The parents and guardians of 200 institutionalized physically/mentallychallenged students were asked to fill up the questionnaires and were then educated regarding proper oralhygiene measures with the help of posters and audio-visual aids.Conclusion: Differently children, due to limited ability and inadequate guidance on oral hygiene maintenance,are prone to poor oral health. There is lack of knowledge of importance of oral health in parents of differentlyabled children. It is the duty of oral health care workers to educate the parents of differently abled childrenabout significance of oral health and how they can train their child for maintenance of proper oral health andhygiene for their overall healthy development.

Oral health-seeking behavior among different population groups in Enugu Nigeria

IntroductionThis study investigates the oral health-seeking behaviour of households and its influence on demand for dental caries treatment services in Enugu state Nigeria.MethodsA quantitative descriptive cross-sectional study was used to explore the oral health seeking pattern of 378 urban and 348 rural household respondents in Enugu state Nigeria. The study explored dental caries treatment-seeking, oral health behavior of respondents using the three dynamics of the Andersen and Newman health utilization model; predisposing, enabling and need factors.FindingsRecommendations from community members (48.9%), severity of disease (22.1%), and cost of treatment (19.4%) all influenced where oral healthcare was first sought. Gender and type of occupation, influenced positive oral health-seeking behavior (p<0.05). The least poor socioeconomic status (SES) group, sought dental treatment in the private dental clinics, while the very poor and most poor SES groups used traditional healers, home treatment and patent medicine dealers more. Dental fillings and extractions were generally the most accessed treatment options for dental caries. The tendency for all the SES groups (especially the least poor), to choose tooth extraction more as a treatment option for dental caries was influenced by the oral health awareness level of respondents and the cost of dental fillings. (p<0.05).ConclusionThe findings suggest that interventions to create increased oral health awareness targeted at education on preventive strategies, appropriate time and place to seek oral health care and dental caries treatment, as well devising and implementing health financing options such as dental insurance would enable individuals to seek appropriate treatment for dental caries on time. In addition, it will reduce the proportion of people visiting unorthodox healthcare providers for their oral health problems or choosing cheaper but inappropriate treatment options.

Perception and belief in oral health among Karen ethnic group living along Thai-Myanmar border, Thailand

BackgroundUtilization of oral health services has been low among rural populations in Thailand, especially for minority ethnicity populations living along the borders. The aim of this study was to increase understanding of the determinants of the underutilization of oral health services among these populations.MethodsA qualitative study using in-depth interview and semi-structured interview was conducted among participants of Karen ethnicity living in Mae Tan Sub-district, Thasongyang District, Tak Province, Thailand. The interviews focused on exploring the participants’ perceptions of oral health problems, oral health and hygiene, and oral health-seeking behaviors. The verbatim-transcribed interviews were analyzed using thematic analysis.ResultsA total of 101 participants (50 adults and 51 children) with a Karen ethnic background took part in the interviews. Most participants could not identify oral health problems and did not perceive dental disease as a problem unless there was severe pain that could not be relieved by painkillers. The Karen ethnic community worked as subsistence farmers, and their busy daily activities consisted of farming, going to the forest to hunt and gather, performing housework, and taking care of their children. Dental health was given a lower priority compared with general health. The perceived value of primary teeth was low, which was identified as an underlying factor resulting in delayed oral health care seeking among this population. The participants had relied on self-care throughout their lifetimes, using either traditional medicines or modern painkillers to relieve toothaches. Fear of dental procedures among children was also described as a barrier to seeking dental health care.ConclusionsThis study found that the lifestyle and traditions of Karen people living in this area influence their oral health care and hygiene activities as well as their health-seeking behaviors. Further research should emphasize how to improve oral health promotion by providing necessary services and health education appropriately to Karen ethnic populations living along the Thai-Myanmar border.

Oral health care-seeking behaviour and influencing factors among 18-34 years old women in Kochi, India

Background: Oral health, though an integral part of general health, is accorded low priority and remains an issue of neglect. Women during their reproductive years suffer from various oral problems that warrant timely utilization of care. Understanding factors affecting health-seeking behavior is necessary. The objective of this study was to determine the personal level and system-level factors that affect utilization of oral health care among 18-34 year-old women visiting a dental health care facility.Methods: A cross-sectional questionnaire-based study was conducted among 18-34 year old women. Participants were recruited using convenience sampling from a tertiary dental health care facility. A Chi-square test was used to determine the association of sociodemographic variables on factors affecting the utilization of oral care.Results: A total of 194 responses were obtained. The mean age of study participants was 27.1±5.2 years. Around 62% of women suffered from multiple dental problems in the past year of which tooth decay and swelling of gums were most common. About 68% of them sought treatment with a dentist. Half of the respondents were themselves responsible for making health care decisions. 55% of the participants reported barriers in availing dental care. The cost of dental treatment, fear of pain, and lack of time were the most commonly reported barriers.Conclusions: Oral health-seeking behaviour among women was found to be good with regard to dental attendance. Personal level barriers were greater than system-level barriers in availing dental care.

Evaluation of oral health care seeking behavior in rural population of central India.

Objectives:To study the perception regarding common oral diseases and health seeking behaviour related to those diseases among rural population of central India.Methods:A cross sectional study was conducted in the rural areas of Wardha, Maharashtra on a population between the age group of 18 and above. Data was recorded by a self administered, structured questionnaire in this study. Questionnaire was based on oral health literacy and health seeking behaviour of participants.Results:Study included 700 participants, 343 males and 347 females. Dental problem was reported by 68% of participants. Toothache was the most common dental problem reported. Government hospitals were chosen by 19% of participants as treatment centre. Fear 24.3% was found to be the major reason for not visiting the dentist.Conclusion:Healthcare seeking behaviour among rural population towards oral diseases was poor. So efforts must be made to bring a change in this scenario.

The Effect of a Community Based Educational Intervention on Oral Health Knowledge Levels of Adult Caregivers of Young Children in the Rural Upper Peninsula of Michigan

ABSTRACTLow levels of oral health literacy in parents and caregivers may place a child at risk for poor oral health (Miller, Lee, DeWalt, & Vann, 2010). The purpose of this project was to determine baseline oral health literacy levels for a sample of adult caregivers of young children living in rural communities and to determine the effectiveness of a community-based education program on increasing these baseline levels of knowledge. A convenience sample of sixty-four participants who attended educational programs aimed at adult caregivers of young children comprised the sample. The Upper Peninsula Oral Health Literacy Assessment Survey was administered prior to and after participants attended the educational programming. A paired sample t-test was utilized to analyze the data. There was a statistically significant increase in oral health literacy levels after the implementation of a community-based educational program. Scores reflecting oral health literacy rose from 68.8% on the pre-test to 92.6% on the post-test. This study confirms a need for further oral health education. Increasing oral health literacy levels in adult caregivers of young children may lead to an increase in oral health seeking behaviors and a decrease in preventable dental caries in the pediatric population.

"I Didn't Know": Pregnant Women's Oral Health Literacy Experiences and Future Intervention Preferences.

This study explored women's 1) experiences in accessing, understanding, appraising, and applying oral health information and services, and 2) preferences regarding oral health promotion during pregnancy. Pregnant women ages 18 to 45 were recruited from an obstetrics and gynecology clinic at a large university hospital. Focus groups were conducted using the four domains of the integrated model of health literacy (access, understand, appraise, apply) and were audio-recorded and professionally transcribed. Thematic analysis was employed using Atlas.ti. Participants (n=17) were Hispanic (53%), married (67%), college educated (87%), employed (80%), and insured (100%). Most participants reported not accessing or receiving oral health information during pregnancy, with limited information received from less trustworthy sources (Internet; friends/family) and focusing on symptoms or myths. Participants revealed gaps in basic oral health understanding and demonstrated limited ability to evaluate or apply information, such as engaging in positive oral health behaviors, according to their needs and personal health status. Participants strongly desired that oral health promotion be integrated into prenatal care. Participants described missed opportunities to improve oral health literacy and desire future health messages that facilitate patient-provider communication on oral health during prenatal care visits. Futurehealth interventions should convey the importance and associated risks, be time efficient and patient centered, and include patient activation to prompt oral health-seeking behaviors during pregnancy.

Dental and Oral Problem Patterns and Treatment Seeking Behavior of Geriatric Population.

Background:The manifestations of oral changes and disorders affecting the geriatric population are different from the rest of the population. Inaccessibility to dental care is a compelling impediment to avail oral health services.Objective:The aims were to assess the dental and oral problems and to find out the determinants of oral health seeking behaviour among elderly population of Al-Jouf province, Saudi Arabia.Methods:The present cross sectional study included geriatric patients of 60 years and above, who visited the College of Dentistry, Al-Jouf University. A simple pre-structured questionnaire was filled by the patients, which comprised of demographic details and the different oral complaints of elderly and the type of health care utilized for those complaints.Results:Out of total 892 elderly persons included, 51.79% were males and 48.21 were females. The most common oral problem was missing tooth (78.69%) followed by gum problems (74.21%). 39.5% males and 28.0% females visited general dental practitioners for oral health care. Majority of the participants (32.8%) suggested accessibility as a basic factor in determining the health care source. The difference in the distribution of male and females or association between the type of care and gender and distribution for choosing a health care source was found to be statistically significant (p < 0.05).Conclusion:Inaccessibility to dental care emerged as an important barrier to avail oral health services. Adequate access to medical and dental care can reduce premature morbidity and mortality, preserve function, and enhance overall quality of life.

Oral health seeking behaviour among Malaysians with type II diabetes

Introduction Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder that affects millions of people worldwide. Diabetes patients need continuous medical care and meticulous patient self-management including monitoring and maintaining good glycaemic control in order to prevent acute complication, which can reduce the risk of long term complications. Medical complications associated with diabetes include

Association Between Parents' and Children's Use of Oral Health Services

Several parental factors influence children's use of oral health services. Some localized studies have shown that children's dental use patterns correlate positively with those of their parents. The objective of this study was to investigate associations between parents' and children's oral health-seeking behaviors among a representative sample of US children. We used the 2007 National Health Interview Survey to analyze a sample of children aged 2 to 17 years, matched with 1 parent. Using logistic regression, we examined associations between parents' and children's use of dental services and deferred dental care because of cost. The sample included 6107 child-parent pairs. Overall, 77% of children and 64% of parents had a dental visit in the previous 12 months. Adjusting for sociodemographic and use variables, children were more likely to have a dental visit when their parents also had a dental visit (adjusted odds ratio: 3.36 [95% confidence interval: 2.71-4.18]), compared with children of parents who did not have a dental visit. In addition, compared with children of parents who did not defer seeking dental care, children of parents who deferred their dental care because of cost were more likely to have care deferred because of cost as well (adjusted odds ratio: 12.47 [95% confidence interval: 9.09-17.11]). Parental oral health-seeking behaviors for themselves may have an important effect on oral health-seeking behaviors on behalf of their children, regardless of the child's insurance status. Comprehensive strategies to eliminate barriers that target parents and not just children may help to address children's underuse of oral health services.

Evaluation of correlations between socio-demographics and oral health seeking among patients

Background: It is commonly reported that individuals at higher socioeconomic class have greater health awareness culminating in better care-seeking from orthodox facilities. It is yet to be ascertained whether this reflect in attitudes of patients toward seeking oral health care. Aim: This study was designed to evaluate the effect of certain socio-demographic indices on oral health care-seeking in an urban society where adequate facilities are available. Methods: A one point observational study of the patients attending the Dental Clinic of the University College Hospital, Ibadan, was conducted using a questionnaire which sought to document the levels of education, income, marital status and the oral health seeking practice of the patients. The appropriate treatments for individual patients were also documented. Results: One hundred and three patients participated in the study that spanned three months (1st April- 30th June, 2006). Fifty-six (54.4%) of the patients were males while 47(45.6%) were females with age range of 19-85 years and average of 39 years. Eighty-six (83.4%) patients had at least secondary school education of which 65 (63.1%) actually had tertiary education. There was no significant correlation between oral health seeking behaviour and level of education, level of income, and marital status. Seventy-four (71.8%) of the patients had tooth extractions while the remaining patients had non-surgical treatments. The reasons for preponderance of surgical treatment needs were discussed. Conclusion: Although a larger proportion of the dental patients were well educated and had better income, this did not reflect in their oral health seeking behaviour. Keywords: Behaviour, Oral health care, Socio-demographics, Surgical treatments, Conservative treatmentsPort Harcourt Medical Journal Vol. 2 (3) 2008: pp. 244-248