Effectiveness of an Intervention for Oral Health Promotion of Disadvantaged Women

Azam  Dahmardeh; Reza  Yazdani; Afsaneh  Pakdaman; Ahmad Reza  Shamshiri

doi:10.18502/fid.v22i36.19699

Azam Dahmardeh Department of Community Oral Health, School of Dentistry, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Reza Yazdani Department of Community Oral Health, School of Dentistry, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Afsaneh Pakdaman Department of Community Oral Health, School of Dentistry, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Ahmad Reza Shamshiri Department of Community Oral Health, School of Dentistry, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/fid.v22i36.19699

Keywords: Oral Health; Health Literacy; Poverty Areas; Women; Community Health Services

Abstract

Objectives: Community health volunteers (CHVs) are expected to empower the population, particularly women, for a better health status. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of an intervention by CHVs for oral health promotion of disadvantaged women.

Materials and Methods: This quasi-experimental study recruited 22 CHVs (n=11 in each group) and 216 women (n=108 in each group) from two health centers in disadvantaged neighborhoods in Zahedan, Iran, in 2020. CHVs received a training package, including a flip chart and a dental model in the intervention group, while the control group received a conventional lecture-based training. Next, CHVs trained women in these areas. The women's oral health literacy (OHL) and oral health behaviors were evaluated using the Oral Health Literacy-Adult Questionnaire (OHL-AQ). The plaque index (PI) was determined through clinical oral examinations. Data were collected before and at 6 weeks after the intervention. Generalized estimating equation (GEE) and Chi-square test were utilized for data analysis using SPSS version 25 (alpha=0.05).

Results: All women completed the study, and had a mean age of 26.7 ± 5.03 years. GEE revealed a significant increase in OHL score (P<0.001), and a significant reduction in PI (P=0.03) of the intervention group compared to the control group. The Chi-square test indicated a significant improvement in oral health behavior of the participants in the intervention group (P=0.02).

Conclusion: The oral health educational program delivered by CHVs significantly improved the OHL and behavior of disadvantaged women, suggesting that such programs can effectively promote oral health in disadvantaged populations.