Oral health behavior and related factors in public health majoring students

Objectives: The purpose of the study was to investigate the associated factors with oral health behavior in public health majoring students. Methods: Using convenience sampling method, the subjects were 474 health-related majoring students in Jeollanamdo. A self-reported questionnaire was completed from September 1 to 15, 2014. The questionnaire consisted of general characteristics of the subjects, oral health related characteristics, oral health knowledge and behavior. Data were analyzed using SAS 9.3 version. T-test, ANOVA, correlation and multiple linear regression analyses were performed to evaluate the related factors with oral health behavior. Cronbach's ${\alpha}$ in oral health knowledge in this study was 0.52 and that in oral health behavior was 0.80. Results: The overall score of oral health behavior was $3.38{\pm}0.52$. Of all behaviors, the practice in brush of teeth and tongue had the highest mean score. In multiple regression analysis, oral health knowledge in the nursing and dental hygiene students was positively associated with the oral health behavior(${\beta}=0.04$, p=0.003, ${\beta}=0.23$, p=0.003, and ${\beta}=0.18$, p=0.034, respectively). Necessity of dental care, one of oral symptom, and more than two oral symptoms were negatively associated with oral health behavior(${\beta}=-0.14$, p=0.002, ${\beta}=-0.11$, p=0.037, and ${\beta}=-0.17$, p=0.011, respectively). Conclusions: Higher oral health knowledge showed higher levels of oral health behavior. These results will enhance the quality of oral health behavior by increasing the level of oral health knowledge. The optimal oral health education program would be able to improve oral health behavior by increasing the level of oral health knowledge.

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