Division of Public Health Dentistry, Centre for Dental Education and Research, WHO Collaborating Centre for Oral Health Promotion and Centre of Excellence for Implementation of National Oral Health Program under MoHFW, GoI. All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, India.
Department of Dentistry, Nodal Officer, Regional Training Centre for Oral Health Promotion, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Bhopal, India.
Int J Paediatr Dent. 2024 Nov;34(6):710-720. doi: 10.1111/ipd.13170. Epub 2024 Mar 4.
This qualitative study sought to assess the influence of cultural factors and family on oral health behaviour of 12- to 15-year-old adolescents from the socially disadvantaged population.
A qualitative design was developed with focus group discussions (FGDs) among 12- to 15-year-old adolescents. Four focus groups (n = 32 participants) were created from a selected sample to capture oral health beliefs and practices, oral health-seeking behaviour along with other relevant information. Focus group discussions were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and translated. Data were analysed thematically and structural coding was applied.
Three key themes that emerged from FGDs were importance of oral health; role of family in oral health behaviour; and beliefs influencing access, prevention and treatment of oral diseases. Cultural background, family values and beliefs were imperative in moulding the behaviour of adolescents towards oral health. The use of traditional oral hygiene aides was a norm in this population.
Findings of the study provide greater insights into the authoritative role of family and cultural barriers in the uptake of dental services. The study also highlights the potential value of qualitative research and emphasizes the need to integrate oral health-associated cultural beliefs and attitudes of the adolescents towards a wider evidence base.
本定性研究旨在评估文化因素和家庭对社会弱势群体中 12 至 15 岁青少年口腔健康行为的影响。
采用焦点小组讨论（FGD）方法对 12 至 15 岁青少年进行定性设计。从选定的样本中创建了四个焦点小组（n=32 名参与者），以获取口腔健康信念和实践、口腔健康寻求行为以及其他相关信息。对焦点小组讨论进行了录音、逐字转录和翻译。采用主题分析法进行数据分析，并应用结构编码。
从 FGD 中出现了三个主要主题：口腔健康的重要性；家庭在口腔健康行为中的作用；以及影响口腔疾病的获得、预防和治疗的信念。文化背景、家庭价值观和信念对青少年的口腔健康行为有重要影响。在该人群中，传统的口腔卫生用具的使用是一种常态。
该研究的结果提供了对家庭和文化障碍在接受牙科服务方面的权威性作用的更深入了解。该研究还强调了定性研究的潜在价值，并强调需要将青少年口腔健康相关的文化信念和态度纳入更广泛的证据基础。
