Self-efficacy perspective on oral health among Turkish pre-adolescents.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the association between toothbrushing and dietary self-efficacy and oral health status and behaviour related to it among Turkish pre-adolescents.


METHODS
A cross-sectional study of Turkish school pre-adolescents aged 10 to 12 (n = 611) by oral health examinations (OHE) and self-administered health behaviour questionnaire (PHBQ). The PHBQ, including new Toothbrushing (TBSES), and modified Dietary Self-Efficacy (DSES), was designed to survey pre-adolescents' oral, dietary and general hygiene behaviour by psychosocial factors. An OHE based on World Health Organization criteria was implemented. The participation rate was 97% (n = 591), and 95% (n = 584) for PHBQ and OHE. Multiple linear regression analysis, descriptive statistics, factor and item analysis, Pearson correlation coefficient, chi-square test, and Student t-test were applied.


RESULTS
Pre-adolescents, mostly with regular toothbrushing habits (69% at least once a day) and high levels of irregular dental visits (79%) had as their mean DMFS figure 3.77 +/- 3.37. Principal component analysis for TBSES and DSES revealed that four factors met the Kaiser Criteria, accounting for 50.2% of total variance. Scales with good internal consistency and test-retest stability were associated with professionally (DMFS) and self-assessed dental health (p < 0.05). A similar tendency appeared between self-assessed gingival health and DSES (p < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Self-efficacy beliefs were associated with oral health and related behaviour among pre-adolescents. Further research is needed for implementation of scales to enhance oral health.
Department of Oral Public Health, Institute of Dentistry, University of Helsinki, Finland. basak.cinar@helsinki.fi
Cinar Ayse
CA
Basak
Kosku
K
Nilufer
Heikki
H
Murtomaa
D001294:Attitude to Health; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004245:DMF Index; D003729:Dental Care; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005882:Gingival Diseases / Q000523:psychology; D015438:Health Behavior; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D006920:Hygiene; D009909:Oral Health; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D020377:Self Efficacy; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014099:Toothbrushing; D014421:Turkey