Immigrant-native differences in caries-related knowledge, attitude, and oral health behaviors: a cross-sectional study in Taiwan

BMC Oral Health

Hsiao-Ling Huang⁹  Ya-Ying Lin¹  Chin-Shun Chang⁵  Ted Chen³  Chien-Hung Lee⁸  Fu-Li Chen⁶  Chih-Cheng Hsu⁴  Ying-Chun Lin⁷  Chun-Chan Ting⁷  Shang-Jyh Chiou^1,10  Chih-Chang Chen² 

[1] Department of Nursing, Shu-Zen College of Medicine and Management, Kaohsiung, Taiwan;Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, Council of Labor Affairs, Executive Yuan, New Taipei City, Taiwan;Department of Global Community Health and Behavioral Sciences, School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, Tulane University, 70112 New Orleans, LA, USA;Institute of Population Health Sciences, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli County 350, Taiwan;Global Center of Excellence for Oral Health Research and Development, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan;Department of Public Health, College of Medicine, Fu Jen Catholic University, New Taipei City, Taiwan;School of Dentistry, College of Dental Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan;Department of Public Health, College of Health Science, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan;Department of Oral Hygiene, College of Dental Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, 100 Shih-Chuan 1st Road, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan;Department of Health Care Management, College of Healthcare Administration and Management, National Taipei University of Nursing and Health Sciences, Taipei, Taiwan

关键词: Health care;    Immigrants;    Dental caries;    Behavior;    Attitudes;   

Others  :  1121500
DOI  :  10.1186/1472-6831-14-3

 received in 2013-08-13, accepted in 2014-01-07,  发布年份 2014

【 摘 要 】

Background

With the growing number of transnational marriages in Taiwan, oral health disparities have become a public health issue. This study assessed immigrant-native differences in oral health behaviors of urban mothers and their children.

Methods

We used the baseline data of an oral health promotion program to examine the immigrant-native differences in caries-related knowledge, attitude, and oral health behaviors. A cross-sectional study was conducted to collect data from mothers in urban area, Taiwan. A total of 150 immigrant and 440 native mothers completed the self-report questionnaires. Logistic regression models analyzed the racial differences in oral health behaviors.

Results

Approximately 37% of immigrant mothers used dental floss, 25% used fluoride toothpaste, and only 13.5% of them regularly visited a dentist. Less that 40% of immigrant mothers brush their children’s teeth before aged one year, 45% replaced child’s toothbrush within 3 months, and only half of the mothers regularly took their child to the dentist. Immigrant mothers had lower level of caries-related knowledge and attitudes than native mothers (p < .001). Compared to native group, the immigrant mothers were less likely to use of dental floss ([Adjusted odds ratio (aOR) =0.35], fluoride toothpaste (aOR = 0.29), visit a dentist in the past 2 years (aOR = 0.26), and take their children to regular dental check-up (aOR = 0.38); whereas, they were more likely to not consume sweeten beverages (aOR = 3.13).

Conclusions

The level of caries-related knowledge, attitudes and oral health behaviors were found lower in immigrant mothers than native ones. The findings suggested cross-cultural caries prevention programs aimed at reducing immigrant-native disparities in child oral health care must be developed for these immigrant minorities.

【 授权许可】

   
2014 Chen et al.; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.

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