Validation of the Oral Hygiene Habits Scale: Relationships with sociodemographic variables in the general and clinical population of Monterrey, Mexico.

Abstract

Several socioeconomic factors are associated with poor oral hygiene habits. A version of the Oral Hygiene Habits Scale (OHHS) was developed in Mexico to measure these factors; however, its relationship with sociodemographic variables has not been studied. The verification of these relationships could contribute to the validation of the scale. Objective: To evaluate the relationship between oral hygiene habits and sociodemographic variables of sex, age, schooling, self-defined socioeconomic stratum, occupation and marital status in the general and clinical population of Monterrey, Mexico. Materials and Methods: A general population sample (GPS) of 256 participants and a clinical sample (CPS) of 240 participants were studied. The OHHS consisted of an eight-item Likert scale of 4 points ranging from 0 to 4. A descriptive correlational study was performed with a cross-sectional design. Data were analyzed using the Mann-Whitney U test, Kruskal-Wallis test, Spearman correlation coefficient, Cramer's V coefficient, and multivariate aligned rank test. Results: In GPS and CPS groups, OHHS was related to sex, schooling, socioeconomic stratum, occupation and marital status, but not to age. There were no significant interactions between the samples (GPS and CPS) and sociodemographic variables. Conclusion: There is a statistically significant relationship between oral hygiene habits and some sociodemographic variables in the general and clinical population. This relationship supports the validity of the OHHS.

Oral Health Impact Profile Scale Applied to Periodontal Disease: Relationship with Sociodemographic Variables in General Population and Clinic Samples from Monterrey, Mexico

“…The occupation showed a significant association with the OHIP-14-PD in both samples. Low averages in OHIP-14-PD among students and retirees of the two samples reflected that there is probably less presence of periodontitis and more rooted oral hygiene culture among these persons, as indicated by a previous study [22]. The unemployed and selfemployed individual also stood out for their low average in the DCS.…”

Relación entre hábitos de higiene bucal, sintomatología depresiva y pérdida de inserción clínica

“…Buenos hábitos de higiene bucal sólo se encontraron aproximadamente en un quinto de las personas de población general y un vigésimo de ambos tipos de pacientes. Este dato de mala higiene bucal es concordante con otros estudios hechos en países latinoamericanos (42)(43).…”

Distribución y validez convergente de la Escala de Hábitos de Higiene Bucal

“…Una puntuación alta en la ehhb se relacionó con: ser mujer, tener escolaridad alta, tener estrato socioeconómico medio-alto o alto, ser estudiante o ama de casa y ser divorciado/separado o soltero. La escala fue independiente de la edad [13]. El proceso de validación de la ehhb continúa en estudio, y está pendiente probar su validez convergente/divergente y describir su distribución.…”