Oral self-care behavior and its influencing factors in a sample of school children from Central Iran

Effect of training based on health belief model and behavioral intention on improving dental and oral self-care behavior in 9–12-year-old Iranian female students

Background

Training dental and oral health behaviors by using appropriate training models and theories is an important issue in preventing dental and oral diseases. the present study aimed to investigate the effect of training based on the health belief model and behavioral intention on dental and oral health behaviors in female students aged 9–12 years old in the city of Rudsar, Guilan, Iran.

Methods

This research is an interventional study conducted on 84 female students aged 9–12 years old, who lived in the city of Rudsar (n = 42 in the control group and n = 42 in the interventional group) in 2019. The data collection tools included questions on demographic variables, structures of the health belief model (perceived sensitivity, perceived severity, perceived barriers and benefits, self-efficiency), behavioral intention, and performance. The questionnaire was completed before the intervention and 3 months after it by both groups. The intervention group received four 45-min sessions. The data were analyzed using SPSS 24, descriptive tests, independent sample t-test, pair sample t-test, and regression (P < 0.05).

Results

The mean age of the intervention and control groups was 10.88 ± 1.01 and 10.80 ± 1.01, respectively. The results showed that the average scores of all structures of the health belief model and behavioral intention in the intervention group significantly changed compared to the average scores obtained before the intervention (P < 0.05). Moreover, the average scores of perceived sensitivity (p < 0.009), perceived barriers (p < 0.007), self-efficiency (p < 0.001), and behavioral intention (p < 0.001) significantly changed after the intervention in both groups (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

According to the results, the health belief model and the behavioral intention were effective in improving dental and oral health so that they can be applied to improving people's dental and oral health. It can also be used as a model to design, implement, and monitor medical health programs.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12903-022-02552-0.

Title Cross-Sectional Study to Evaluate Knowledge and Attitudes on Oral Hygiene of Romanian Students

Background and Objectives: the purpose of this study was to evaluate students’ level of knowledge and attitude towards oral hygiene. Materials and Methods: the evaluation was carried out by a questionnaire, with 30 Q (questions) as follows: demographic data (Q1–Q5), oral hygiene knowledge data (Q6–Q23) and oral hygiene attitude data (Q24–Q30). The study included students from Romanian schools and the selection of the study group was made following selection criteria in accordance with ethical issues. A descriptive statistical analysis was performed and a value of p ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: the study included a number of 718 subjects with a mean age of 14.54 (±2.22), male 250 (34.8%) and female 468 (65.2%), MS (middle school students) 354 (49.4%) and HH (high school students) 364 (50.6%). Most of the subjects 292 (MS = 160; HS = 132) know a toothbrushing technique, p = 0.009, r = 0.091 and 587 (MS = 278; HS = 309) know that brushing removes the bacterial plaque p = 0.027, r = −0.082 but only 147 (MS = 71; HS = 76) know that (by) brushing can re-mineralize hard dental structures. The duration of the toothbrushing is variable, for 2- or 3-min p = 0.058, r = 0.043. Criteria for choosing the toothbrush were based mainly on the indications of the dentist, respectively, for toothpaste on its properties. The frequency of toothbrushing is mainly twice a day 428 (MS = 234; HS = 248), p = 0.079, r = 0.037, 73 (MS = 33; HS = 40) after every meal. p = 0.099, r = 0.095. Mouthwash is used by 421 (MS = 199; HS = 222) p = 0.111, r = −0.048, and 228 (MS = 199; HS = 222) after each brushing. Dental floss is used by 240 (MS = 106; HS = 134), p = 0.031, r = −0.073 and only 74 (MS = 41; HS = 33) after each brushing. Conclusions: there are differences in the level of knowledge and attitudes regarding the determinants of oral hygiene depending on the level of education.

Integrating the Extended Theory of Planned Behavior With the Stages of Change to Predict Exercise Among Chinese People With Type 2 Diabetes

Background: There have been very limited prospective studies examining social-cognitive models within stages of behavior change in the exercise domain. Purpose: We examined the utility of the theory of planned behavior (TPB), incorporating self-identity and descriptive norm constructs, to predict exercise behavior across the stages of change, in individuals with type 2 diabetes. Methods: Data were obtained from a longitudinal study. Multi-group structural equation modeling was used to estimate the association between extended TPB constructs and exercise within different stages groups. Results: 647 individuals completed a self-report questionnaire at baseline and at 3 months follow-up. The extended TPB model explained 8-15% variance of exercise behavior and 42-81% variance of exercise intention within three stages groups in the cross-sectional design. The extended TPB model explained 4%-13% variance of exercise behavior and 42-66% variance of exercise intention in the longitudinal design. Intention was significantly related to exercise behavior in the pre-action and action stages. Self-identity, perceived behavioral control and descriptive norms were stronger predictors of intention in different stages. Conclusion: Discontinuity patterns in the extended theory of planned behavior for the different stages groups were found. Intention was a significant predictor of exercise in the pre-action and action stages at 3 months.