Influence of Oral Health Literacy on the Oral Health Care Behaviors of Upper Elementary School Students in Mueang Lamphun District, Lamphun Province
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Abstract
This cross-sectional analytical study aimed to examine the levels of oral health literacy and oral health care behaviors among upper primary school students in Mueang Lamphun District, Lamphun Province, and to investigate the influence of oral health literacy on their oral health care behaviors. The sample consisted of 356 students selected using stratified random sampling. Data were collected between February and April 2024 using a researcher-developed questionnaire consisting of four parts: 1) general information, 2) dental health information, 3) oral health literacy, and 4) oral health care behaviors. Content validity was assessed using the Index of Item-Objective Congruence (IOC = .67). Reliability coefficients were .758 for oral health literacy, .759 for oral health care behaviors, and .770 for the overall instrument (Cronbach’s alpha). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and stepwise multiple regression analysis at a significance level of .05.
The results revealed that oral health literacy and oral health care behaviors were at a moderate level ( = 2.71 , SD =.16);
= 2.42 , SD =.73, respectively). Four components of oral health literacy significantly influenced oral health care behaviors: understanding oral health information (β = .935, p<.001), accessing information (β =.401, p =.002), applying information (β = .404, p =.017), and evaluating information (β = .316, p =.027). These factors accounted for 35.60% of the variance in oral health care behaviors (R² = .356, Adj. R² = .349, p < .05).
ฃTherefore, public health personnel or relevant agencies should organize training programs for oral health trainers to enhance their professional expertise and incorporate digital literacy courses alongside promoting oral health literacy in educational institutions.
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