Effectiveness of an Intervention for Oral Health Promotion of Disadvantaged Women

Objectives: Community health volunteers (CHVs) are expected to empower the population, particularly women, for a better health status. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of an intervention by CHVs for oral health promotion of disadvantaged women. Materials and Methods: This quasi-experimental study recruited 22 CHVs (n=11 in each group) and 216 women (n=108 in each group) from two health centers in disadvantaged neighborhoods in Zahedan, Iran, in 2020. CHVs received a training package, including a flip chart and a dental model in the intervention group, while the control group received a conventional lecture-based training. Next, CHVs trained women in these areas. The women's oral health literacy (OHL) and oral health behaviors were evaluated using the Oral Health Literacy-Adult Questionnaire (OHL-AQ). The plaque index (PI) was determined through clinical oral examinations. Data were collected before and at 6 weeks after the intervention. Generalized estimating equation (GEE) and Chi-square test were utilized for data analysis using SPSS version 25 (alpha=0.05). Results: All women completed the study, and had a mean age of 26.7 ± 5.03 years. GEE revealed a significant increase in OHL score (P<0.001), and a significant reduction in PI (P=0.03) of the intervention group compared to the control group. The Chi-square test indicated a significant improvement in oral health behavior of the participants in the intervention group (P=0.02). Conclusion: The oral health educational program delivered by CHVs significantly improved the OHL and behavior of disadvantaged women, suggesting that such programs can effectively promote oral health in disadvantaged populations.