Oral Health Literacy and Factors Associated with Oral Healthcare Behaviors of Village Health Volunteers in Region 6 Health Provider

Abstract

Oral health literacy is related to oral health care behaviors. The objective was to study oral health literacy and factors related to oral healthcare behavior. This study is a cross-sectional survey research of 410 village health volunteers in Region 6 health providers the research uses multi-stage cluster sampling. Data were collected from a self-administered questionnaire and oral status survey. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and chi-square and Spearman Rank tests.

The research results found that the sample group had Oral health literacy at a moderate level (47.1%), Oral healthcare behavior was sufficient (28.4%), and good Oral status was 59.0%. Factors significantly associated with oral healthcare behavior include education level, Predisposing, Enabling, Reinforcing factors, and Oral health literacy (p<0.001). Factors significantly associated with Oral status include age, education level, and the duration of work as a village health volunteer.

The research results suggest that Government and dental public health agencies’ Policies should be added and the environment provided. A system that facilitates access to information sources and oral healthcare services for the public and village health volunteers should provide training to enhance awareness of oral health problems and recognize the benefits of oral healthcare. Oral health literacy in village health volunteers continuously.