September 2013

Volume 30, Issue 3

Oral health literacy and information sources among adults in Tehran, Iran

Authors: M.M. Naghibi Sistani R.Yazdani J. Virtanen A. Pakdaman H. Murtomaa
doi: 10.1922/CDH_3159Yazdani05

Abstract

Objective: To assess oral health literacy level and oral health information of Iranian adults in Tehran, and to determine the factors related to oral health literacy. Basic research design: A cross-sectional population study. Participants: A random sample of 1,031 adults in Tehran, Iran. Methods: Oral health literacy was measured using an oral health adult literacy questionnaire (OHL-AQ). Variation in use of information sources by socio-economic and demographic background was estimated by odds ratios. A multiple linear regression model served to determine predictor factors of OHL-AQ scores controlling for characteristics of the subjects and number of information sources. Results: The mean OHL-AQ score was 10.5 (sd 3.0). Women (p<0.001), younger (p<0.001), and better educated participants (p<0.001) had higher OHL-AQ scores. The most common sources of oral health information were dentists (52.6%), and TV/Radio (49.5%). According to the regression model, females (p=0.001), high educational level (p<0.001), and use of multiple information sources (two sources p=0.01, three sources or more p=0.002) were the main predictor factors of OHL-AQ scores. Conclusions: The average oral health literacy level of Iranian adults was low. Disseminating evidence-based oral health care information from multiple sources including TV/radio, dentists, and other health professionals in different settings should improve public oral health literacy. Keywords: oral health; oral health literacy; information sources; Iran

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Caries prevalence in 12-year-old children from Germany: Results of the 2009 national survey 138-142 Download
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The geographic distribution of patients seeking emergency dental care at the Royal Dental Hospital of Melbourne, Australia 149-154 Download
Using GIS to analyse dental practice distribution in Indiana, USA 155-160 Download
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Dental infections increase the likelihood of hospital admissions among adult patients with sickle cell disease 168-172 Download
Preschool teachers as agents of oral health promotion: an intervention study in Sri Lanka 173-177 Download
Oral health literacy and information sources among adults in Tehran, Iran 178-182 Download
Child oral health-related quality of life (COHQoL), enamel defects of the first permanent molars and caries experience among children in Western Australia 183-188 Download
Oral health-related quality of life in non-syndromic cleft lip and/or palate patients: a systematic review 189-195 Download

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