Mizutani Shinsuke, Ekuni Daisuke, Tomofuji Takaaki, Irie Koichiro, Azuma Tetsuji, Iwasaki Yoshiaki, Morita Manabu
Department of Preventive Dentistry, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences , Okayama , Japan.
Acta Odontol Scand. 2015 Jul;73(5):368-74. doi: 10.3109/00016357.2014.968870. Epub 2014 Oct 20.
Some studies have shown a relationship between psychological symptoms and oral health behaviors. However, it is unknown whether gender differences affect the relationship between psychological symptoms and oral health behaviors. In addition, gender differences in the relationship between dental anxiety and dental visits for treatment or regular check-up are unclear. The objective of the present study was to explain the relationships among gender differences, psychological symptoms, oral health behaviors, dental anxiety and 'expectation of dental visit', evaluated as 'dental visits when treatments are recommended' in university students.
A total of 607 students (311 males, 296 females) aged 18-38 years old were examined. The information was collected via questionnaire regarding gender, psychological symptoms and oral health behaviors. Psychological symptoms were assessed using the Hopkins Symptom Checklist. Structural equation modeling was used to test pathways from these factors to 'expectation of dental visit'. Multiple-group modeling was also conducted to test for gender differences.
Psychological symptoms were related to low expectation of dental visit in females, but there was no such relationship in males. Oral health behaviors were related to expectation of dental visit in both genders.
Psychological symptoms were directly related to expectation of dental visit in females and oral health behaviors were related to expectation of dental visit in both genders. To promote dental visits after dental check-ups at school, it might be necessary to improve oral health behaviors in both genders and to evaluate psychological symptoms, especially in females.
一些研究表明心理症状与口腔健康行为之间存在关联。然而，性别差异是否会影响心理症状与口腔健康行为之间的关系尚不清楚。此外，牙科焦虑与因治疗或定期检查而就诊之间的性别差异也不明确。本研究的目的是解释大学生中性别差异、心理症状、口腔健康行为、牙科焦虑和“就诊期望”（以“建议治疗时就诊”来评估）之间的关系。
共检查了607名年龄在18 - 38岁的学生（311名男性，296名女性）。通过问卷收集有关性别、心理症状和口腔健康行为的信息。使用霍普金斯症状清单评估心理症状。采用结构方程模型来测试从这些因素到“就诊期望”的路径。还进行了多组模型分析以检验性别差异。
心理症状与女性较低的就诊期望有关，但在男性中不存在这种关系。口腔健康行为与两性的就诊期望均有关。
心理症状与女性的就诊期望直接相关，口腔健康行为与两性的就诊期望均有关。为促进学校牙科检查后的就诊，可能有必要改善两性的口腔健康行为并评估心理症状，尤其是女性的心理症状。
