J Korean Acad Community Health Nurs.  2014 Mar;25(1):54-64. 10.12799/jkachn.2014.25.1.54.

Gender Differences in Oral Health Literacy related Factors among Elderly People

• Lee KE
• Yom YH
• Kim SS
• Han JH

• KMID: 2292728
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.12799/jkachn.2014.25.1.54

Abstract

PURPOSE
This study is to measure oral health literacy levels and to identify oral health literacy related factors in elders.
METHODS
The research design for this study was a descriptive survey design using convenience samples. Data collection was done by using a self-report questionnaire with 321 elders from three welfare centers for the aged and two senior centers located in three cities. Data were analyzed by using percentage, mean, standard deviation, t-test, ANOVA, Scheffe, Pearson's Correlation Analysis and hierarchical multiple regression with the SPSS Win 18.0 Program.
RESULTS
The oral health literacy scores of male elders were higher than those of female elders (t=9.73, p=.002). In hierarchical multiple regression analysis, education levels, smoking and oral health statuses were significant predictors and accounted for 29.8% of the male elders' oral health literacy. For female elders, education levels, health statuses and oral health statuses were significant predictors and accounted for 47.7%.
CONCLUSION
These results suggest that interventions for improving oral health literacy are necessary to enhance elders' ability of self-care management. Also, these results could be used in developing oral health literacy programs.

Keyword

Aged; Health status; Health literacy

MeSH Terms

Aged*
Data Collection
Education
Female
Health Literacy
Humans
Male
Oral Health*
Research Design
Self Care
Senior Centers
Smoke
Smoking
Surveys and Questionnaires
Smoke

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