BMC Oral Health
Volume 14, Issue 1, 2014

Immigrant-native differences in caries-related knowledge, attitude, and oral health behaviors: A cross-sectional study in Taiwan (Article) (Open Access)

Chen C.-C. , Chiou S.-J. , Ting C.-C. , Lin Y.-C. , Hsu C.-C. , Chen F.-L. , Lee C.-H. , Chen T. , Chang C.-S. , Lin Y.-Y. , Huang H.-L.*
  • a Department of Oral Hygiene, College of Dental Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, 100 Shih-Chuan 1st Road, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan, Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, Council of Labor Affairs, New Taipei City, Taiwan
  • b Department of Health Care Management, College of Healthcare Administration and Management, National Taipei University of Nursing and Health Sciences, Taipei, Taiwan
  • c School of Dentistry, College of Dental Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
  • d School of Dentistry, College of Dental Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
  • e Institute of Population Health Sciences, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli County 350, Taiwan
  • f Department of Public Health, College of Medicine, Fu Jen Catholic University, New Taipei City, Taiwan
  • g Department of Public Health, College of Health Science, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
  • h Department of Global Community Health and Behavioral Sciences, School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, Tulane University, 70112 New Orleans, LA, United States
  • i Global Center of Excellence for Oral Health Research and Development, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
  • j Department of Nursing, Shu-Zen College of Medicine and Management, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
  • k Department of Oral Hygiene, College of Dental Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, 100 Shih-Chuan 1st Road, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan

Abstract

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. © 2014 Chen et al.; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.

Author Keywords

Attitudes immigrants dental caries health care Behavior

Index Keywords

educational status Oral Health mother child relation human Health Behavior Mother-Child Relations comparative study feeding behavior Toothpaste Cariostatic Agents Fluorides Beverages anticaries agent fluoride tooth brushing Taiwan dental procedure Urban Health Cross-Sectional Studies health income Dental Care cross-sectional study migrant psychology Humans Emigrants and Immigrants preschool child female Child, Preschool dental caries Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice adult age Food Habits Age Factors utilization Dental Devices, Home Care administration and dosage beverage employment Toothbrushing attitude to health dental device Dietary Sucrose sugar intake Toothpastes Child
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84892422471&doi=10.1186%2f1472-6831-14-3&partnerID=40&md5=54c6d02d9ead1256ea85a2d1e25dee6c
DOI: 10.1186/1472-6831-14-3
ISSN: 14726831
Cited by: 7
Original Language: English