Oral Health Behaviour and Social and Health Factors in University Students from 26 Low, Middle and High Income Countries

Abstract

Poor oral health is still a major burden for populations throughout the world, particularly in developing countries. The aim of this study was investigate oral health behaviour (tooth brushing and dental attendance) and associated factors in low, middle and high income countries. Using anonymous questionnaires, data were collected from 19,560 undergraduate university students (mean age 20.8, SD = 2.8) from 27 universities in 26 countries across Asia, Africa and the Americas. Results indicate that 67.2% of students reported to brush their teeth twice or more times a day, 28.8% about once a day and 4.0% never. Regarding dental check-up visit, 16.3% reported twice a year, 25.6% once a year, 33.9% rarely and 24.3% never. In a multivariate logistic regression analysis, being a male, coming from a wealthy or quite well off family background, living in low income or lower middle income, weak beliefs in the importance of regular tooth brushing, depression and PTSD symptoms, tobacco use and frequent gambling, low physical activity, and low daily meal and snacks frequency were associated with inadequate tooth brushing (<twice daily). Further, being a male, older age, coming from a not well off or poor family background, living in low income or lower middle income, weak beliefs in the importance of regular tooth brushing, PTSD symptoms, illicit drug use, low physical activity, and low daily snacks frequency, skipping breakfast and inadequate fruit and vegetables consumption were associated with less than one annual dental care visit. Oral health behaviour among the students was found to be low. Various risk factors identified can be used to guide interventions to improve oral health behaviour among university students.

Assessment of knowledge, attitude and practices of personal and oral hygiene among undergraduate university students in Sulaimani city

“…Almost 27.8% of students reported brushing teeth after breakfast, this finding is anticipated with past researches that have shown 28% of adults used to brush their teeth at breakfast time so they could feel fresh at the beginning of the day [23]. In, addition, majority of students (98.1%) used toothbrush to brush their tongue, which is similar to past studies reporting (81.8%) of the students brushed their tongues by using tooth brush in the developing countries [22].…”

“…This study indicates 62.9% of university students brushed their teeth before going to sleep, in contrast studies carried out in Nigeria and developing countries revealed 71.9% and 62.7% of undergraduates brushed their teeth twice a day [21,22]. Almost 27.8% of students reported brushing teeth after breakfast, this finding is anticipated with past researches that have shown 28% of adults used to brush their teeth at breakfast time so they could feel fresh at the beginning of the day [23].…”

Determinants of oral self-care in the Brazilian adult population: a national cross-sectional study

“…In addition, the creation of a variable that represents all the elements considered as characterizing oral selfcare by the literature 7,8,10,12,17 is what makes this study so very distinct. As observed in the methodological description, the grouping of factors shows a high explanatory capacity, and the variable created can be used in other studies and in health planning involving more concrete strategies for self-care.…”

“…In the field of oral health, the recognition and analysis of the process of acquiring individual autonomy is under construction, and studies predominantly show an association between oral self-care and isolated factors. 7,8,9,10,11 The literature points out that appropriate oral health depends on maintaining certain practices, including periodic dental visits, 12,13,14,15 tooth brushing frequency, 7,10,12,16,17 toothbrush replacement frequency, 17,18 dental flossing, and use of auxiliary techniques, 7,12,17,19 and that all these factors together represent oral selfcare. However, the studies usually evaluate oral selfcare in a segmented manner, relating it specifically to dental flossing, toothbrushing or regular visits to the dentist.…”

“…However, the studies usually evaluate oral selfcare in a segmented manner, relating it specifically to dental flossing, toothbrushing or regular visits to the dentist. 7,8,10,16,17 Therefore, the factors that actually infer oral self-care cannot be predicted accurately.…”