Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Tooth Brushing and Handwashing of Adolescents: A Secondary Analayis of the Korea Youth Risk Behavior Web-Based Survey (2019∼2020)

Abstract

Background: In this study, we investigated the changes and factors that affect daily health behaviors due to COVID-19 among adolescents. We intend to provide basic data so that a systematic and comprehensive health education program that includes physical and oral health can be made.Methods: This study was a secondary data analysis of the from the 2019 and 2020 Korea Youth Risk Behavior Web-based Survey. A final sample of 112,251 participants was anlayzed using chi-square test, and ordinal logistic regression.Results: In the case of tooth brushing, the frequency of ‘never’ increased in most general characteristics compared to before COVID-19. In the case of handwashing, it was found that handwashing behavior increased (increased) after COVID-19 compared to before COVID-19. As a result of confirming the factors affecting tooth brushing behavior before and after COVID-19, it was found that girls brushed teeth 2.2 times more regularly after lunch than boys. As a result of adjusting all other factors, regular tooth brushing behavior after COVID-19 was reduced by 0.79 times compared to before COVID-19.Conclusion: It is judged that it is necessary to operate a comprehensive health management program in the school so that the most basic tooth brushing for oral health and handwashing for health can become a habit. In addition, by confirming the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on handwashing and tooth brushing behavior through this study, it is expected to be used in the development of policy data such as raising awareness of brushing and improving behaviors applicable in the current and upcoming new pandemic situations.

Keywords

• adolescent
• covid-19
• handwashing
• tooth brushing