A study on middle school students' oral health belief and oral health practice

중학생의 구강건강신념 및 구강건강실천에 관한 연구

The present study is a descriptive survey on factors affecting middle school students' oral health belief and oral health practice. In order to find methods for forming right beliefs and inducing desirable behavioral patterns, we conducted a questionnaire survey with 470 students at two middle schools in Cheongju and drew conclusions as follows. Of the 470 questionnaires, 457 were recovered. With 10 inappropriately answered ones excluded, 446 questionnaires were analyzed. 1. As to oral health belief according to general characteristics, susceptibility was 2.63 points (p=0.035) in male students, 2.68 (p=0.016) in 3rd year students, and 2.92 (p=0.002) in only child students. Seriousness was 2.57 (p=0.017) in male students, 2.67 (p=0.001) in 3rd?year students, and 2.92 (p=0.001) in only child students. barrier was 2.62 (p=0.009) in 3rd year students, and 2.95 (p=0.002) in only child students. Benefit was 3.40 (p=0.011) in female students, and 3.43 (p=0.003) in 1st year students. salience was 3.21 (p=0.006) in female students, and 3.24 (p=0.009) in 1st year students. 2. As to oral health belief according to oral?health?related factors, susceptibility and seriousness were 2.69 (p=0.003) and 2.72 (p=0.000), respectively, in the lower?middle class group, 2.83 (p=0.001) and 2.80 (p=0.003), respectively, in the drink taking group, and 2.80 (p=0.000) and 2.75 (p=0.000), respectively, in the low conversation group. barrier was 2.63 (p=0.018) in the lower?middle class group, 2.67 (p=0.021) in the low conversation group, and 2.77 (p=0.000) in the group fearing the visit to the dental clinic. Benefit was 3.36 (p=0.000) in the high conversation group, and 3.37 (p=0.0l5) in the group visiting the dental clinic for prevention. salience was 3.26 for beverage and 3.20 (p=0.003) for fruit and vegetable. 3. As to oral health practice according to general characteristics, the score of oral health practice was 3.21 (p=0.000) in female students, 3.30 (p=0.000) in those aged 12 or below, and 3.27 (p=0.000) in 1st?year students. 4. As to oral health practice according to factors related to oral health, the point was 3.17 (p=0.002) in the middle upper class group, 3.24 (p=0.001) in the group eating mainly fruit or vegetable, and 3.18 (p=0.030) in those with experience in education. 5. Oral health practice was in a negative correlation with susceptibility (r=-0.143), and in a positive correlation with benefit (r=0.229) and salience (r=0.286).