School of Public Health, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.
Ir J Med Sci. 2022 Feb;191(1):461-467. doi: 10.1007/s11845-021-02505-6. Epub 2021 Feb 9.
Health literacy is considered a social determinant of population health, but also relates to making informed health decisions. Little information is available on the oral health literacy (OHL) among young adults, and this is crucial to inform targeted interventions on oral health and care.
This study (i) estimates the prevalence of OHL among the third-level university students in Cork City and (ii) identifies determinants of OHL by exploring potential correlates.
All students in University College Cork (~ 21000) were sent out a previously validated questionnaire through the online Lime Survey in April 2018 (n = 1487). Both descriptive and inferential statistics (chi-squared/correlation) were undertaken. OHL score was calculated as adequate (2.1-3.0), marginal (1.1-2.0) or inadequate (0.0-1.0) in regard to the scores attained by the individuals.
Adequate OHL prevalence was 23%. OHL was significantly correlated with age (r = 0.10), major discipline (r = - 0.13) and frequency of dental visits (r = - 0.08). Male gender, younger age group and those in non-medical schools had significantly higher inadequate OHL.
Approximately, one-in-four third-level university students in Cork City have adequate OHL which is lower compared to the general Irish population but still significantly high in specific groups.
健康素养被认为是人口健康的社会决定因素，但也与做出明智的健康决策有关。关于年轻人的口腔健康素养（OHL）的信息很少，这对于告知口腔健康和护理的针对性干预措施至关重要。
本研究（i）估计科克市第三级大学生的 OHL 患病率，（ii）通过探索潜在的相关性来确定 OHL 的决定因素。
通过在线 Lime Survey 在 2018 年 4 月向科克大学学院的所有学生（约 21000 人）发送了之前经过验证的问卷（n = 1487）。进行了描述性和推断性统计（卡方/相关性）。OHL 评分根据个人得分计算为充足（2.1-3.0）、边缘（1.1-2.0）或不足（0.0-1.0）。
充足的 OHL 患病率为 23%。OHL 与年龄（r = 0.10）、专业学科（r = -0.13）和看牙医的频率（r = -0.08）显著相关。男性、年龄较小的群体和非医学院校的学生，其 OHL 不足的比例显著更高。
科克市约四分之一的第三级大学生具有充足的 OHL，这与爱尔兰一般人群相比较低，但在特定群体中仍然相当高。
