title: Factors related to gender differences in toothbrushing among Lithuanian middle-aged university employees.
abstract: BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES. Many previous studies showed clear gender differences in the percentages of adults reporting toothbrushing more than once a day. This study evaluated the factors determining gender differences in toothbrushing among Lithuanian middle-aged university employees. MATERIAL AND METHODS. A questionnaire survey was anonymously conducted among 35- to 44-year-old employees (n=862) of four universities in Lithuania in 2005. The response rate was 64% (n=553). Data covered toothbrushing frequency, habitual dental attendance, dental health attitudes and knowledge, and subject's background information. RESULTS. Of all respondents, 68% reported brushing their teeth more than once a day (73% of women and 49% of men, P<0.001) and 51% indicated checkup-based habitual dental attendance (54% of women and 41% of men, P=0.012). The majority reported good dental status as being important to them and poor oral health as injurious to general health. Of all respondents, 44% indicated that "Lack of time is the main reason for incomplete oral self-care" (61% of men and 40% of women, P<0.001). Logistic regression models showed that the strongest factor affecting toothbrushing frequency was the importance of good dental health to them (OR, 1.6; 95% CI, 1.1-2.4; P=0.02) among women and statement that "Poor oral health can be injurious to general health" (OR, 2.6; 95% CI, 1.2-5.5; P=0.01) and checkup-based habitual dental attendance (OR, 2.4; 95% CI, 1.0-5.9; P=0.06) among men. CONCLUSIONS. Due to different determinants affecting toothbrushing frequency among men and women, different oral health motivation programs by gender should be developed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dental and Maxillofacial Orthopedics, Medical Academy, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Kaunas, Lit-huania. zana.sakalauskiene@med.kmu.lt
authors.forename: Zana
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Sakalauskienė
authors.forename: Miira M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Vehkalahti
authors.forename: Heikki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Murtomaa
authors.forename: Vita
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Mačiulskienė
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003753:Dental Health Surveys; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008097:Lithuania; D008297:Male; D012737:Sex Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014099:Toothbrushing / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014495:Universities