International Journal of Health Policy and Management

International Journal of Health Policy and Management

Oral Hygiene Status in a General Population of Iran, 2011: A Key Lifestyle Marker in Relation to Common Risk Factors of Non-Communicable Diseases

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Fereshteh Asgari 1
Azam Majidi 2
Jalil Koohpayehzadeh 3
Koorosh Etemad 4
Ali Rafei 5
1 Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Deputy for Health, Ministry of Health and Medical Education, Tehran, Iran
2 Cancer Research Center, Cancer Institute of Iran, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
3 Department of Community Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
4 Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, ShahidBeheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
5 National Program for Disease Registries and Health Outcomes, Deputy for Research, Ministry of Health and Medical Education, Tehran, Iran
10.15171/ijhpm.2015.18
Abstract
Background
To estimate Oral Hygiene (OH) status in the Iranian population in 2011, and to determine the influence of socio-economic characteristics on OH, and its interrelation with common risk factors of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs).
 
Methods
Data including a total of 12,105 individuals aged 6-70 years were obtained from the sixth round of the surveys of NCDs risk factors in Iran. OH was recorded through a structured questionnaire measuring daily frequencies of tooth brushing and dental flossing. Descriptive analyses were performed on demographic characteristics in the complex sample survey setting. We also employed weighted binary logistic regression to compute Odds Ratio (OR) as a measure of association between the response and explanatory factors. Furthermore, to construct an asset index, we utilized Principal Component Analysis (PCA).
 
Results
The percentage with minimum recommended daily OH practices was 3.7% among men and 7.7% among women  (OR= 2.3; P< 0.001). Urban citizens were more likely to have their teeth cleaned compared to rural people (OR= 2.8; P< 0.001). For both genders, a relatively better condition was observed in the 25–34 age group (male: 5.6%; female: 10.3%). In addition, OH status improved significantly by increase in both level of education (P< 0.001) and economic status (P< 0.001). There were also apparent associations between self-care practices and specific behavioral risk factors, though the correlation with dietary habits and tobacco use could be largely explained by socio-economic factors.
 
Conclusion
OH situation in Iran calls for urgent need to assign proper interventions and strategies toward raising public awareness and reducing disparities in access to health facilities.
Keywords
Oral Hygiene (OH)
Non-communicable Diseases (NCDs)
Iran
Socio-economic
Risk Factors
Subjects
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  • Received Date 30 September 2014
  • Revised Date 17 January 2015
  • Accepted Date 28 January 2015
  • First Published Date 01 June 2015
  • Published Date 01 June 2015