Demographic Characteristics Associated with Vulnerability of Oral Diseases among Primary School Students in Southern of Iran

Abstract

<br />Background: Oral diseases are one of the most common diseases in the world, and prevention of them is nowadays one of the health priorities. The aim of this study was to determine the demographic characteristics associated with vulnerability of oral diseases among primary school students in south of Iran.<br />Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study, conducted in Shadegan city, the South of Iran, a total of 300 primary school students aged 7 to 12 years old, were randomly selected to participate voluntarily in the study in 2016. Data were gathered by interviewing among participants based on questionnaire. Questionnaire including the demographic characteristics and vulnerability of oral diseases scale. Data were analyzed by SPSS version 16.0 using Pearson correlation, t-test, and one-way ANOVA statistical tests at 95% significant level.<br />Results: Almost 30.6% of the volunteers reported had daily tooth brushing. The mean perceived vulnerability of respondents was 27.20 [95% CI: 26.67, 27.72], ranged from 7 to 35. There was a significant correlation between perceived vulnerability with participant's mother education level, mother age, father age, and daily tooth brushing (P0.05).<br />Conclusion: Our findings indicated, mothers education levels had significant role on increasing vulnerability of oral diseases among primary school students, and may be usefulness of the results in order to promotion of oral health care behaviors among chillers.<br />Keywords: Behavior Change, Children's, Health Education, School Health.