Oral Hygiene Behaviors and Oral Health Literacy Among Informal Thai Workers in Rural Areas
Issued Date
2023-12-01
Resource Type
ISSN
2820896X
Scopus ID
2-s2.0-85186087365
Journal Title
Journal of Education and Community Health
Volume
10
Issue
4
Start Page
185
End Page
190
Rights Holder(s)
SCOPUS
Bibliographic Citation
Journal of Education and Community Health Vol.10 No.4 (2023) , 185-190
Suggested Citation
Phakayawong N., Kittipichai W. Oral Hygiene Behaviors and Oral Health Literacy Among Informal Thai Workers in Rural Areas. Journal of Education and Community Health Vol.10 No.4 (2023) , 185-190. 190. doi:10.34172/jech.2366 Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/20.500.14594/97467
Title
Oral Hygiene Behaviors and Oral Health Literacy Among Informal Thai Workers in Rural Areas
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Author's Affiliation
Corresponding Author(s)
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Abstract
Background: Informal Thai workers experience disparities in accessing health services. Improper oral healthcare behavior is the main cause of oral diseases. Promoting oral health literacy (OHL) is an essential strategy for achieving positive oral health outcomes. This study aimed to investigate OHL, oral hygiene behavior (OHB), and associated factors of OHB among informal Thai workers in a rural context. Methods: A cross-sectional community-based survey was conducted among 274 informal Thai workers aged 20–59 years. The data were collected through face-to-face interviews with questionnaires. Cronbach’s alpha coefficient of the OHL scale was 0.86. Data were analyzed using simple and multiple logistic regression with a 95% confidence interval (CI). Results: The findings revealed that 138 of the participants (50.4%) had proper OHB, and 46.4% had proficiency in overall OHL. Seven factors were significantly associated with OHB, namely, educational attainment, the job sector, the sufficiency of family income, and three OHL dimensions, including understand, appraise, and apply. However, three predictors of proper OHB were those who attained secondary school and higher education (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]: 2.24, 95% CI: 1.31–3.85) and OHL proficiency in the understand and appraise components (AOR: 2.23, 95% CI: 1.25–4.00 and AOR: 1.98, 95% CI: 1.11–3.52, respectively). Conclusion: Therefore, public health dental care units should organize activities to improve workers’ capacity and ability to exhibit OHB. The OHL promotion program should be developed with an emphasis on providing the public with a detailed understanding of oral hygiene. Dental health education is enhanced by inquiring, verifying, and looking at skills to help them gain the skills and confidence to provide consistent oral care.