HEALTH LITERACY FACTORS INFLUENCING PRE-SCHOOL CHILDREN ORAL HEALTH BEHAVIORS OF CAREGIVERS IN CHANTHABURI PROVINCE

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the health literacy factors influencing caregivers' behaviors in preschool children's oral health care. Data was collected using developed questionnaires. The study samples were 194 caregivers in Chanthaburi Province. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and stepwise multiple regression.

The research findings revealed that caregivers' health literacy was at a moderate level, and their children's oral health care behaviors were at a fair level. Five variables were identified as significant predictors: self-management in children's oral health care (β = 0.411, p-value < 0.001), knowledge and understanding (β = 0.214, p-value < 0.001), access to health information and services (β = 0.257, p-value < 0.001), caregiver's occupation (β = 0.155, p-value = 0.005), and decision-making skills
(β = 0.155, p-value = 0.005), which have a predictive power of 45.00% (R² = 0.450, p-value < 0.001)

Therefore, the health literacy of caregivers should be promoted for better children’s oral health, to increase their knowledge, access to appropriate health services, and skills in properly caring for preschool's oral health. Which children receive proper oral care from an early age, laying a foundation for good dental health in the future.