Community Dental Health

cover art

Cover Date:
September 2013
Print ISSN:
0265 539X
Vol:
30
Issue:
3

Oral health literacy and information sources among adults in Tehran, Iran

doi:10.1922/CDH_3159Yazdani05

Objective: To assess oral health literacy level and oral health information of Iranian adults in Tehran, and to determine the factors related to oral health literacy. Basic research design: A cross-sectional population study. Participants: A random sample of 1,031 adults in Tehran, Iran. Methods: Oral health literacy was measured using an oral health adult literacy questionnaire (OHL-AQ). Variation in use of information sources by socio-economic and demographic background was estimated by odds ratios. A multiple linear regression model served to determine predictor factors of OHL-AQ scores controlling for characteristics of the subjects and number of information sources. Results: The mean OHL-AQ score was 10.5 (sd 3.0). Women (p<0.001), younger (p<0.001), and better educated participants (p<0.001) had higher OHL-AQ scores. The most common sources of oral health information were dentists (52.6%), and TV/Radio (49.5%). According to the regression model, females (p=0.001), high educational level (p<0.001), and use of multiple information sources (two sources p=0.01, three sources or more p=0.002) were the main predictor factors of OHL-AQ scores. Conclusions: The average oral health literacy level of Iranian adults was low. Disseminating evidence-based oral health care information from multiple sources including TV/radio, dentists, and other health professionals in different settings should improve public oral health literacy.

Key words: oral health; oral health literacy; information sources; Iran

Article Price
£15.00
Institution Article Price
£
Page Start
178
Page End
182
Authors
M.M. Naghibi Sistani, R.Yazdani, J. Virtanen, A. Pakdaman, H. Murtomaa

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