title: Hygiene self-care of older adults in West Virginia: effects of gender.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study investigated whether oral hygiene self-care behavior differs between genders in older adults in Appalachia, a geographic area with significant oral health concerns. Identify ing the practices of older adults may provide valuable information for designing interventions and improving overall oral health outcomes.
  
  
  METHODS
  As part of a larger, on-going study on cognition and oral health in later life in Appalachia, a sample of dentate, older adults without dementia aged 70 and above (n=245, 86 men and 159 women) received an oral assessment by either a dentist or dental hygienist. Psychometricians assessed cognition using a standardized battery of neuropsychological tests. They also administered the General Oral Health Assessment Index and conducted structured interviews concerning diet, oral hygiene practices, oral health, social support, income and years of education Results: Over 80% of women (n=128) and 52.3% of men (n=45) reported brushing their teeth twice daily. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was conducted, controlling for socioeconomic status, social support (i.e., frequency of contacting friends and relatives), general oral health assessment items, number of decayed, missing and filled surfaces, plaque index and having regular dental visits. The results showed that women reported more frequent tooth brushing than their male counterparts (OR=4.04, 95% CI:1.93,8.42).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Older women in West Virginia had significantly better oral hygiene practices than older men, particularly regarding tooth brushing. Interventions are needed to improve older men's dental hygiene behaviors to improve overall oral health outcomes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dental Practice and Rural Health at West Virginia University, WV, USA.
authors.forename: R Constance
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Wiener
authors.forename: Bei
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Richard J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Crout
authors.forename: Brenda L
authors.initials: BL
authors.lastname: Plassman
authors.forename: Daniel W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: McNeil
authors.forename: Michael A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Wiener
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kao
authors.forename: Daniel J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Caplan
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001061:Appalachian Region; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology; D004245:DMF Index; D003729:Dental Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003742:Dental Devices, Home Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003774:Dental Plaque Index; D004032:Diet; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D007182:Income; D008297:Male; D009067:Mouthwashes / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009909:Oral Health; D009910:Oral Hygiene / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010512:Periodontal Index; D012648:Self Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012737:Sex Factors; D012923:Social Class; D012944:Social Support; D014099:Toothbrushing / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014903:West Virginia
chemical_list: D009067:Mouthwashes