ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: Identification of population groups at high risk for poor oral self-care in adults was needed in order to enable more focused planning of oral health promotion actions in Slovenia. METHODS: The study was based on the national health behaviour database in adults aged 25-64. Data collected in 2001 were used. The sample size was 15,379. The overall response rate was 64%, and 8,392 questionnaires were eligible for oral self-care assessment. A complex indicator based on oral hygiene, frequency of visiting a dentist, and nutritional habits was derived. The outcome of interest was poor oral self-care. Logistic regression was used to test multivariate associations between several factors (gender, age, educational level, social class, etc.) and poor oral self-care. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of poor oral self-care was 6.9%. The odds for this outcome were higher for men (OR(males vs. females) = 7.49, p < 0.001), (or participants with the lowest educational levels (OR(uncompleted primary vs. university) = 5.95, p < 0.001; OR(primary vs. university) = 4.95, p < 0.001), and for participants from the lowest social classes (OR(lower vs. upper-middle) = 6.20, p < 0.001; OR(labour vs. upper-middle) = 4.05, p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Special attention should be paid to oral health promotion for men, for those with low educational level, and for those belonging to the lowest social classes.
Subject(s)
Dental Health Surveys , Health Behavior , Health Promotion , Oral Health , Adult , Data Collection , Data Interpretation, Statistical , Female , Humans , Logistic Models , Male , Middle Aged , Oral Hygiene , Sex Factors , Slovenia , Surveys and Questionnaires , ToothbrushingABSTRACT
The Health Systems in Transition (HiT) series provide detailed descriptions of health systems in the countries of the WHO European Region as well as some additional OECD countries. An individual health system review (HiT) examines the specific approach to the organization, financing and delivery of health services in a particular country and the role of the main actors in the health system. It describes the institutional framework, process, content, and implementation of health and health care policies. HiTs also look at reforms in progress or under development and make an assessment of the health system based on stated objectives and outcomes with respect to various dimensions (health status, equity, quality, efficiency, accountability).
Subject(s)
Delivery of Health Care , Evaluation Study , Healthcare Financing , Health Care Reform , Health Systems Plans , SloveniaABSTRACT
The Health Systems in Transition (HiT) series provide detailed descriptions of health systems in the countries of the WHO European Region as well as some additional OECD countries. An individual health system review (HiT) examines the specific approach to the organization, financing and delivery of health services in a particular country and the role of the main actors in the health system. It describes the institutional framework, process, content, and implementation of health and health care policies. HiTs also look at reforms in progress or under development and make an assessment of the health system based on stated objectives and outcomes with respect to various dimensions (health status, equity, quality, efficiency, accountability).
