Modeling of the Theory of Planned Behavior to Predict Determinants of Oral Health Behavioral Intention in Mothers of Children under 6 Years of Age in Iraq

Authors

  • Rusul Abdulameer Hadi Al-Sarray Department of Dentistry, Kut University College, Kut, Iraq; Department of Community Oral Health, School of Dentistry, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
  • Elaheh Amirian Department of Community Oral Health, School of Dentistry, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran.
  • Muhammad Alzubidi Department of Pedodontic Orthodontic and Preventive, College of Dentistry, Mustansiriyah University, Baghdad, Iraq.
  • Simin Zahra Mohebbi Research Center for Caries Prevention, Dentistry Research Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Department of Community Oral Health, School of Dentistry, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18502/jcr.v13i2.22549

Keywords:

Children; Preschool; Intention; Oral health; Theory of planned behavior

Abstract

Introduction: The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) recommends improving oral health behaviors as essential for the prevention of Early Childhood Caries (ECC), and several studies have evaluated different approaches to explaining human behavior through behavioral and cognitive-behavioral theories. This study aimed to explain predictors of mothers’ behavioral intention regarding the oral health of their under-6-year-old children in Iraq based on the Theory of Planned Behavior using structural equation modeling.

Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted using a multistage random sampling method, including 926 mothers of under-six-year-olds in Iraq in 2023. A valid questionnaire based on the Theory of Planned Behavior evaluated attitude, perceived behavioral control, subjective norms, and behavioral intention. Descriptive analysis and structural equation modeling (SEM) were used to describe the data and examine the association among the variables.

Results: Out of 926 children, 59.5% were girls. The mean age of the children was 4.0 (SD = 0.9) years, and the mean age of the mothers was 30 (SD = 5.2) years. The mean scores of the attitude, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control, and behavioral intention were 17.5 out of 20, 14.8 out of 20, 18.7 out of 32, and 20.4 out of 24, respectively. Subjective norm score (estimation = 0.12, p-value < 0.001), perceived behavioral control score (estimate = 0.06, p-value < 0.001), and attitude score (estimation = 0.15, p-value < 0.001) positively predicted behavioral intention, with perceived behavioral control being the strongest predictor.

Conclusion: The TPB was supported for predicting behavioral intention in our study population. The health holders should consider the TPB constructs, in particular perceived behavioral control, for improving behavioral intention.

Published

2026-09-06

Issue

Volume (13) issue (2)

Section

Articles