Comparison of Oral Health-Related Quality of Life Among Sixth Grade Students in Small, Medium, and Large Schools in Ubon Ratchathani Province

Abstract

This cross-sectional descriptive research aimed to study the oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) among sixth grade students and compare the mean OHRQoL scores across small, medium, and large schools in Ubon Ratchathani Province. The sample included 169 students selected through multi-stage sampling. Data were collected using a questionnaire consisting personal characteristics and OHRQoL form. The tools were verified with content validity (IOC:0.50–1), and reliability testing with Cronbach’s alpha coefficient that was 0.88. Descriptive statistics, including frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviation, along with the Kruskal-Wallis test, were used for data analysis.
The results found that most students were male (51.78%), an average daily allowance was 35.59 THB. The sample primarily lived with their mothers (64.97%) that major occupation was agriculture (34.52%). The overall OHRQoL was at a moderate level (X ̅=1.58, S.D.=0.32), the highest mean score was the symptom domain (X ̅=1.96, S.D.=0.41), and the lowest score was social well-being (X ̅=1.28, S.D.=0.34).  There were no significant differences among students from small (X ̅=39.89, S.D.=8.39), medium (X ̅=39.62, S.D.=8.54), and large schools (X ̅=38.63, S.D.=8.12) (p=.791). These findings suggest public health authorities using this information to plan and develop oral health promotion programs for all school sizes that to ensure equitable dental care, dental health education, and hygiene practices such as brushing their teeth after meals.