The Relationship Between Behavioral Factors, Knowledge and Attitudes Toward Oral Health Care and Periodontal Inflammation Among the Elderly Nong Ruea Subdistrict, Nong Ruea District, Khon Kaen Province

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to identify the factors of behavior, knowledge and attitude in oral health care with periodontitis status and the relationship between behavior, knowledge and attitude in oral health care with periodontitis status of the Elderly Nong Ruea Subdistrict, Nong Ruea District, Khon Kaen Province. A Cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted. 265 people of elderly were recruited.

The study found that the majority of elderly individuals had moderate oral health care behaviors (83.0%). Most had a high level of knowledge about oral health care (50.9%) and a high attitude toward oral health care (58.5%). Regarding periodontal conditions, 46.8% had periodontal pockets of 6 millimeters or more, and 34.3% had periodontal pockets of 4-5 millimeters. Additionally, 81.1% were diagnosed with periodontitis, while 18.9% were not. The analysis of the relationship revealed that behavior had no statistically significant association with periodontitis (95% CI of OR: 0.65 to 4.08; p-value = 0.29). Knowledge showed no statistically significant relationship with periodontitis (p-value = 0.45). Similarly, attitude had no statistically significant association with periodontitis. (p-value = 0.81)