Risk awareness, exposure to oral health information, oral health related beliefs and behaviours among students attending higher learning institutions in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the level of exposure to information about oral health from local sources, risk awareness, oral health beliefs and behaviours among male and female students attending higher learning institutions in Dar es Salaam.


METHODS
A cross sectional survey.


METHODS
Government recognised higher education institutions in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania in 1999.


METHODS
The study population comprised of 1123 university students in Dar es Salaam.


METHODS
Level of risk awareness, exposure to oral health information, oral health beliefs and behaviour among students.


RESULTS
Despite apparent misconceptions, the level of risk awareness was generally high and did not differ between male and female students. Univariate analysis of variance revealed that female students were exposed to more oral health information, had stronger oral beliefs and performed preventive behaviours more frequently than did their male counterparts. In multiple linear regression analysis, beliefs about the importance of preventive behaviours were significantly related to the frequency with which such habits occurred (beta = 0.19, p < 0.001) across gender and students status. This relationship was significantly stronger among females (beta = 0.33, p < 0.001) than among males (beta = 0.11 p < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
The results indicate that strengthening beliefs in the presence of accurate knowledge might successfully promote students' oral health enhancing behaviour.
Masalu
J
J
Muhimbili Medical Centre, School of Assistant Dental Officers, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
Mtaya
M
M
Astrøm
A N
AN
D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001294:Attitude to Health; D001364:Awareness; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D009050:Fluorosis, Dental / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D006266:Health Education / Q000592:standards*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D009909:Oral Health; D010510:Periodontal Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012737:Sex Factors; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013636:Tanzania; D014495:Universities; D014504:Urban Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data