title: Laypeoples' preferred sources of health information on the emergency management of tooth avulsion.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  When planning nationwide information campaigns on the emergency management of tooth avulsion, the populations' preference to different modes of information delivery should be taken into consideration. We currently lack information on that. The aim of this study was, therefore, to assess laypeoples' preferred sources of information on the emergency management of tooth avulsion.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a joint study undertaken by experts in media and experts in dental traumatology. Interview-assisted questionnaires were conducted on a sample of 579 adults from Kuwait. Subjects were asked to choose their three preferred sources of information on the emergency management of tooth avulsion. Subjects' responses and sociodemographic data were registered. The data were descriptively analyzed, and a chi-square test was used to assess the relation of the subjects' preferences to their registered demographics.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The Internet, health care professionals, and TV were the three most preferred sources of information on the emergency management of tooth avulsion across all groups, regardless of the sociodemographic characteristics. Younger adults, singles and subjects with higher education significantly preferred the Internet. Older adults preferred TV. Family was a preferred source in geographic districts populated with extended families, while friends were a preferred source in geographic districts populated by expatriates.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Younger people and those with higher education can be effectively targeted through the Internet, while it is more effective to target older people through TV. Information, on tooth avulsion management, given by health care professionals is preferred across all population segments.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Dentistry, Kuwait University, Kuwait City, Kuwait. mona.alsane@hsc.edu.kw
authors.forename: Mona
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Al-Sane
authors.forename: Nibal
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Bourisly
authors.forename: Taghreed
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Almulla
authors.forename: Lars
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Andersson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D054626:Consumer Health Information / Q000379:methods*; D004522:Educational Status; D004638:Emergency Treatment; D005190:Family; D005260:Female; D033062:Friends; D006267:Health Education, Dental / Q000379:methods; D006282:Health Personnel; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D007730:Kuwait; D008297:Male; D017533:Marital Status; D008875:Middle Aged; D011642:Publications; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012737:Sex Factors; D013690:Television; D014084:Tooth Avulsion / Q000628:therapy*; D055815:Young Adult