Factors related to children’s caries: a structural equation modeling approach

BMC Public Health

Huan Cai Lin¹  Ye Tao¹  Yan Zhou¹  Qing Hui Zhi¹  Edward CM Lo³  Rong Min Qiu² 

[1]Department of Preventive Dentistry, Guanghua School of Stomatology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, 56 Ling Yuan Road West, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province 510055, China

[2]Department of Pediatric dentistry, College of Stomatology, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China

[3]Dental Public Health, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China

关键词: Practice;    Attitude;    Oral health knowledge;    Caries;    Caregiver;    Child;   

Others  :  1126179
DOI  :  10.1186/1471-2458-14-1071

 received in 2014-06-28, accepted in 2014-10-03,  发布年份 2014

【 摘 要 】

Background

Dental caries among preschool children is highly prevalent in many less-developed countries.

Methods

A model which explored the factors related to children’s dental caries was tested in this study using structural equation modeling. Caregivers of children aged 5 years were surveyed on their socioeconomic status, and their oral health knowledge, attitudes and practices. In addition, information on their children’s oral health practices, dental insurance and dental service utilization were collected. Examination of caries was conducted on all children who returned fully completed questionnaires.

Results

The results showed that socioeconomic factors influenced children’s oral health practices through the impact of caregivers’ oral health knowledge and practices; that caregivers’ oral health knowledge affected children’s oral health practices through the influence of caregivers’ oral health attitudes and practices; and finally, that children’s oral health practices were linked directly to their caries.

Conclusion

The findings have important applications for promoting policies aimed at advancing children’s oral health.

【 授权许可】

   
2014 Qiu et al.; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.

【 图 表 】

Figure 1.

Figure 2.

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