title: Evaluating the effect of a community-based lay health advisor training curriculum to address immigrant children's caries disparities.
abstract: Previous programs had not designed the culturally adequate Lay Health Advisor (LHA) oral health training curriculum for medically underserved population. We evaluated the effects of LHA training curriculum for addressing immigrant children's caries disparities in their access to dental care. We used a pre/post-test study design. Immigrant women were recruited from churches, schools, and immigrant centers in an urban area. Four training classes were held. Each training cycle lasted 15 consecutive weeks, consisting of 1 weekly 2-h training session for 12 weeks followed by a 3-week practicum. The curriculum included training in caries-related knowledge, oral hygiene demonstrations, teaching techniques, communication skills, and hands-on practice sessions. Thirty-seven LHA trainees completed the course and passed the post-training exam. The data were collected using self-report questionnaires. The level of oral health knowledge, self-efficacy and attitudes toward oral hygiene were significantly increased after LHA training. There was a significant and over twofold increase in trainees' oral hygiene behaviors. An increase of >20% in LHA and their children's dental checkup was observed following training. After training, LHAs were more likely to have 3+ times of brushing teeth [Odds Ratio (OR) = 13.14], brushing teeth 3+ minutes (OR = 3.47), modified bass method use (OR = 30.60), dental flossing (OR = 4.56), fluoride toothpaste use (OR = 5.63) and child's dental visit (OR = 3.57). The cross-cultural training curriculum designed for immigrant women serving as LHAs was effective in improvement of oral hygiene behaviors and access to dental care.
authors: Department of Oral Hygiene, College of Dental Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
authors: Yuan-Jung
authors: YJ
authors: Hsu
authors: Wu-Der
authors: WD
authors: Peng
authors: Jen-Hao
authors: JH
authors: Chen
authors: Ying-Chun
authors: YC
authors: Lin
authors: Chin-Shun
authors: CS
authors: Chang
authors: Ted
authors: T
authors: Chen
authors: Chih-Yang
authors: CY
authors: Hu
authors: Pei-Shan
authors: PS
authors: Ho
authors: Fu-Li
authors: FL
authors: Chen
authors: Chien-Hung
authors: CH
authors: Lee
authors: Hsiao-Ling
authors: HL
authors: Huang
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D002327:Cariostatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D003142:Communication; D003150:Community Health Workers / Q000193:education*; D065246:Culturally Competent Care; D003479:Curriculum; D019140:Dental Care for Children; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003742:Dental Devices, Home Care; D054242:Emigrants and Immigrants; D005260:Female; D005459:Fluorides / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015438:Health Behavior; D006267:Health Education, Dental; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D054625:Healthcare Disparities; D006801:Humans; D008507:Medically Underserved Area; D009910:Oral Hygiene; D015397:Program Evaluation; D020377:Self Efficacy; D013663:Teaching / Q000379:methods; D014099:Toothbrushing / Q000379:methods; D014100:Toothpastes / Q000627:therapeutic use; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D002327:Cariostatic Agents; D014100:Toothpastes; D005459:Fluorides