Factors Associated with Dental Caries Prevention Behaviors among Grade 6 Students in Chok Chai District, Nakhon Ratchasima Province

Abstract

This cross-sectional descriptive study aimed to examine dental caries prevention behaviors and associated factors among sixth-grade students in Chokchai District, Nakhon Ratchasima Province. A total of 194 students were selected using stratified and simple random samplings. Data were collected through questionnaires during July-August 2024 and were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Relationships were analyzed using Chi-square test and Fisher's exact test, with odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals reported.

The results revealed that 61.3% of participants demonstrated a moderate level of dental caries prevention behaviors. Regarding predisposing factors, 60.8% of the students had a high-level of knowledge about dental caries, 85.6% had positive attitudes toward dental caries prevention, and 58.3% had high self-efficacy in preventing dental caries. For enabling factors, 88.1% reported that schools provided tooth brushing facilities after lunch, and 78.4% had convenient access to dental services. Concerning reinforcing factors, 41.2% received high-level support from family, teachers, and peers, 91.8% had received information about dental caries, and 65.5% reported that schools provided oral health education. Statistical analysis revealed that knowledge about dental caries (p-value = 0.001), attitudes toward dental caries prevention (p-value = 0.011), and self-efficacy in preventing dental caries (p-value = 0.018) were significantly associated with dental caries prevention behaviors at the 0.05 level. Students with high-level knowledge were 2.82 times more likely to demonstrate dental caries prevention behaviors than those with low-level knowledge (OR = 2.82, 95%CI = 1.47-5.41). Students with positive attitudes toward oral health care were 3.86 times more likely to exhibit dental caries prevention behaviors than those with low-level attitudes (OR = 3.86, 95%CI = 1.28-11.64). Additionally, students with high self-efficacy in preventing dental caries were 2.11 times more likely to demonstrate dental caries prevention behaviors (OR = 2.11, 95%CI = 1.13-3.93).

The study recommends that schools and relevant agencies may continuously implement oral health promotion activities to enhance students' awareness and recognition of the importance of dental caries prevention by disseminating knowledge through social media platforms and organizing hands-on activities such as proper tooth brushing techniques and self-oral health examination to strengthen students' confidence and capability in maintaining oral health effectively.