Oral health care-seeking behaviors and influencing factors among south Indian rural adults: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

Introduction: Oral health has long been recognized as an integral part of general health. The trend indicates an increase in oral health problems in developing countries like India. When it comes to rural population, a multitude of challenges prevail pertaining to the betterment of oral health care. Aim: To determine the oral health care-seeking behaviors in rural Andhra Pradesh and to identify the influencing factors. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 18 years and above population using a structured pretested questionnaire. A total of 2711 subjects were selected using stratified proportionate random sampling technique. Data were analyzed by SPSS version 20 software. Percentages of the categorical variables were computed and compared by Chi-square test at 5% level of significance. Logistic regression was used to determine the influence of sociodemographic variables and oral health needs on the utilization of oral health-care services. Results: Of 2711 subjects, 1144 have experienced previous dental problems, toothache being the most experienced dental problem (46.32%) and the common treatment underwent was extraction. Most preferred treatment center by the study subjects were private dental college, and reason identified was accessibility which constituted about 44.5% of all the reasons. Most common reason for not visiting the dentist was the poor attitude of the subjects toward the dental problems as it constituted about 43.75% of the total influencing factors. Conclusion: Poor attitudes on the importance of oral health were quite evident, and efforts must be made to bring a change in this scenario.

Keywords

• Health behavior
• health care
• oral health
• rural population