Publication: Oral health literacy among mothers of pre-school children.
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Accepted Date
2014-07-22
Issued Date
2014-09
Resource Type
Language
eng
ISSN
0125-5614 (printed)
Rights
Mahidol University
Rights Holder(s)
Faculty of Dentistry Mahidol University
Bibliographic Citation
Vichayanrat T, Sittipasoppon T, Rujiraphan T, Meeprasert N, Kaveepansakol P, Atamasirikun Y. Oral health literacy among mothers of pre-school children. M Dent J. 2014; 34(3): 243-52.
Suggested Citation
Tippanart Vichayanrat, ทิพนาถ วิชญาณรัตน์, Tashsamon Sittipasoppon, Thanatporn Rujiraphan, Napas Meeprasert, Pattareeya Kaveepansakol, Yonlada Atamasirikun Oral health literacy among mothers of pre-school children.. Vichayanrat T, Sittipasoppon T, Rujiraphan T, Meeprasert N, Kaveepansakol P, Atamasirikun Y. Oral health literacy among mothers of pre-school children. M Dent J. 2014; 34(3): 243-52.. Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/123456789/1149
Research Projects
Organizational Units
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Thesis
Title
Oral health literacy among mothers of pre-school children.
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Abstract
Objectives: The aim of this study was to develop and validate a new oral
health literacy test for Thai mothers. This study also examined the
relationship among oral health literacy, oral health knowledge, socioeconomic
factors and pre-school children’s oral health status.
Materials and methods: The oral health literacy (OHL) test was developed to
measure 3 aspects, which were basic/functional, communicative, and critical
OHL. Mothers who brought their 2-6 years old children to the Pediatric Dental
Clinic at Faculty of Dentistry, Mahidol University were invited to answer a
self-administered questionnaire, which consisted of socio-demographic
information and oral health knowledge (OHK), and OHL test. Caries status was
collected from children’s dental records. Factor analysis was used to analyze
a construct validity of the OHL test. Cronbach’s alpha was utilized to evaluate
the internal consistency reliability of the test. Binary logistic regression was
used to analyze the relationships among caries status, OHL scores, OHK, and
socio-demographic variables.
Results: The factor analysis extracted 4 components instead of 3 originally
proposed in questionnaire, which suggested addressing the ‘searching and
using information’ OHL aspect. The 25-item OHL test showed acceptable
reliability (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.76). Mothers who correctly answered OHK
items had significantly higher OHL scores, except the knowledge of cariogenic
food. Less than 50 percents of mothers correctly understood the words
‘periodontal disease’, ‘root canal treatment’, ‘mottled tooth’, ‘scaling’,
‘bridges’, and ‘plaque’ (in Thai). Significant factors associated with children’s
caries status were mother’s education (OR=9.1, 95% CI: 1.16-71.65), and OHL
score (OR= 0.87, 95% CI: 0.76-0.98).
Conclusion: The newly developed OHL test had acceptable validity and
reliability to measure various aspects of oral health literacy. Mother’s
education and oral health literacy were significant predictors to their children’
s caries status. This study reveals the complexity of OHL and help gaining the
understanding of caregivers OHL in relation to knowledge and social variables.