Effectiveness of Message Framing on Oral Health-related Behaviors

Abstract

Objective (s): Oral health is an inseparable part of public health and is the most important component of people’s quality of life (QOL). The objective of this study was to examine the effectiveness of message framing on oral health-related behaviors among medical students in Iran. Methods: Yhis was an experimental study. Two hundred and thirty undergraduate students of public health, nursing and allied health of a medical university in Tehran, Iran participated in the study. Students then randomly were assigned into two groups: a group receiving gain-framed message and a group who received loss framed message. Pre-test and post-test immediately and 2 weeks later were performed to compare outcomes. Results: The results obtained from covariance analysis with repeated measures showed that the attitude, intention and behavior of using dental floss and tooth brush in students who received gain-framed message compared to those who received loss-framed message increased, although this increase was not statistically significant. Conclusion: The findings suggest that in order to increase oral health-related behaviors, using gain-framed messages might be more effective.

Keywords

• message framing
• gain-framed messages
• loss-framed messages
• oral health
• college students