title: Self-efficacy as a common variable in oral health behavior and diabetes adherence.
abstract: Successful treatment of dental caries, periodontal diseases and diabetes requires persistent daily self-care. The aim of this study was to evaluate the perception of self-efficacy as a common behavioral factor determining oral health behavior, diabetes self-care, and actual health status. Cross-sectional data relating to 149 insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) patients were collected from patient records, and by clinical oral examination and a quantitative questionnaire. The study population was recruited from different locations, and the participation percentage was 80%. Self-efficacy scales associated with corresponding behaviors, and a dental self-efficacy scale also correlated with dental caries. Dental self-efficacy correlated with diabetes self-efficacy, diabetes adherence, and with HbA1c. Also, logistic regression analysis revealed that dental self-efficacy was related to diabetes adherence. Further, those diabetics reporting a high frequency of dental visiting had higher diabetes self-efficacy. As a conclusion, good dental self-efficacy has a positive influence on diabetes adherence. The results suggest that the perception of self-efficacy may be a common behavioral factor determining diabetes self-care and oral health behavior.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Dentistry, University of Oulu, Finland. mkneckt@hotmail.com
authors.forename: M C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Kneckt
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Syrjälä
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Laukkanen
authors.forename: M L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Knuuttila
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D017742:Dental Care for Chronically Ill / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000523:psychology; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008875:Middle Aged; D010349:Patient Compliance; D012648:Self Care; D020377:Self Efficacy; D012737:Sex Factors; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014099:Toothbrushing / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*