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Self-efficacy perspective on oral health among Turkish pre-adolescents
Cinar Ayse Basak1, Kosku Nilufer, Heikki Murtomaa
1Department of Oral Public Health, Institute of Dentistry, University of Helsinki, Finland. basak.cinar@helsinki.fi
Objective:
To assess the association between toothbrushing and dietary self-efficacy and oral health status and behaviour related to it among Turkish pre-adolescents.
Materials And Methods:
A cross-sectional study of Turkish school pre-adolescents aged 10 to 12 (n = 611) by oral health examinations (OHE) and self-administered health behaviour questionnaire (PHBQ). The PHBQ, including new Toothbrushing (TBSES), and modified Dietary Self-Efficacy (DSES), was designed to survey pre-adolescents' oral, dietary and general hygiene behaviour by psychosocial factors. An OHE based on World Health Organization criteria was implemented. The participation rate was 97% (n = 591), and 95% (n = 584) for PHBQ and OHE. Multiple linear regression analysis, descriptive statistics, factor and item analysis, Pearson correlation coefficient, chi-square test, and Student t-test were applied.
Results:
Pre-adolescents, mostly with regular toothbrushing habits (69% at least once a day) and high levels of irregular dental visits (79%) had as their mean DMFS figure 3.77 +/- 3.37. Principal component analysis for TBSES and DSES revealed that four factors met the Kaiser Criteria, accounting for 50.2% of total variance. Scales with good internal consistency and test-retest stability were associated with professionally (DMFS) and self-assessed dental health (p < 0.05). A similar tendency appeared between self-assessed gingival health and DSES (p < 0.05).
Conclusion:
Self-efficacy beliefs were associated with oral health and related behaviour among pre-adolescents. Further research is needed for implementation of scales to enhance oral health.
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