El texto completo de este trabajo no está disponible en el Repositorio Académico UPC por restricciones de la casa editorial donde ha sido publicado. / Purpose: To evaluate the evolution of perceived quality of life in relation to oral health during pregnancy and to determine the risk factors involved in this process. Methods: A follow-up study was carried out with pregnant Spanish women. Two oral examinations and an oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) assessment, using the OHIP-14 questionnaire, were performed in the first and third trimester of pregnancy. Data on sociodemographic characteristics, medical history, O’Sullivan Test measures, oral hygiene habits, history of caries, and periodontal status of participants were collected through structured medical-dental questionnaires. Results: A complete dataset comprising 246 pregnant women was available for analysis. Overall scores for negative impacts on the OHIP questionnaire were significantly higher during late pregnancy (74%). This indicated a deterioration in oral health-related quality of life amongst participants. Items describing “painful aching”, “self-consciousness”, “unsatisfactory diet”, and “interrupted meals” showed the greatest increase between the first and third trimester of gestation. Multivariate analysis showed that pre-gestational/gestational diabetes mellitus and poor oral hygiene habits during the first trimester of gestation were directly associated with worse oral health-related quality of life during the third trimester of gestation (hyperglycemia: OR 2.86; 95% CI 1.019–8.050: p = 0.043 / oral hygiene: OR 1.33; 95% CI 0.970–1.836; p = 0.076). Conclusions: In the present research, hyperglycemia during pregnancy and poor oral hygiene habits during the first trimester of gestation led to a higher risk of poor oral quality of life during late pregnancy. / Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades / Revisión por pares

Northern Ireland (NI) has the poorest levels of oral health in the United Kingdom (UK) with its children having the highest levels of tooth decay in Europe (Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety; DHSSPS, 2007). The Oral Health Strategy for Northern Ireland (DHSSPS, 2007) emphasises the need to address these problems, yet there is a lack of research investigating the determinants of young people's toothbrushing behaviour. This study sought to address this research gap by investigating young peoples attitudes and motivations for brushing their teeth. To achieve this aim a mixed-methods sequential research design was employed, with the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) providing the theoretical framework for each of the research stages. In stage one, an elicitation study adopting focus group methodology was conducted to elicit the modal salient beliefs of the target behaviour. These beliefs were then used to inform the development of items contained within the TPB questionnaire. In stage two, the research sought to confirm suitability of the questionnaire measure for use with the target group, schoolchildren aged 9-10 years. Test-retest methodology was employed to explore the psychometric properties of each scale. In stage three, the study investigated the theoretical factors influencing toothbrushing intentions and behaviour among 867 schoolchildren. Participation in the research study was recruited using randomised and stratified sampling techniques. Overall, the findings provide support for the theoretical model of the TPB and highlight the key theoretical constructs in predicting intentions to brush teeth among schoolchildren, namely self-efficacy, attitude and subjective norm. They have also elucidated the relative importance of the factors that are influential in affecting childrens motivations and decisions to brush their teeth. Furthermore, the study has highlighted the important contribution of other variables affecting childrens toothbrushing behaviour such as, various risk factors can impinge upon their toothbrushing routine, including tiredness, laziness, memory and issues related to resources (e.g. types of toothpaste and texture of toothbrush). This study undoubtedly provides support for the theoretical model of the TPB. The questionnaire measure was found to be a valid and reliable instrument for assessing toothbrushing beliefs of schoolchildren, suggesting that the theory is applicable for use with a child population. The findings from this study could be of use to those interested in designing interventions to reduce Nl's oral health problem and given the theoretical framework, identify those factors which influence toothbrushing behaviour amongst a particularly at-risk group. It is hoped that the research will make a valid contribution to the TPB-based literature and also serve as a possible framework for other health psychologists interested in this topic.

No description available.

<p>HIV/AIDS is a major problem in South Africa with more than 25 percent of the adult population infected with HIV. Oral lesions and various opportunistic infections characterize the progression of HIV making it imperative for people living with HIV to have access to good quality oral care. There is a need to examine accessibility and use of dental services in South Africans living with HIV as very little research in this regard, has been undertaken. Aim: To investigate the barriers to oral health care for people living with HIV in the KZN and the WC. Research Design and Methodology: A cross-sectional study utilising a self-administered questionnaire and semi-structured interviews has been employed. Participants were people living with HIV older than 18 years attending HIV clinics located throughout Kwa-Zulu Natal and WC. Binary logistic regression was performed to determine the variables associated with not obtaining care.</p>

<p>HIV/AIDS is a major problem in South Africa with more than 25 percent of the adult population infected with HIV. Oral lesions and various opportunistic infections characterize the progression of HIV making it imperative for people living with HIV to have access to good quality oral care. There is a need to examine accessibility and use of dental services in South Africans living with HIV as very little research in this regard, has been undertaken. Aim: To investigate the barriers to oral health care for people living with HIV in the KZN and the WC. Research Design and Methodology: A cross-sectional study utilising a self-administered questionnaire and semi-structured interviews has been employed. Participants were people living with HIV older than 18 years attending HIV clinics located throughout Kwa-Zulu Natal and WC. Binary logistic regression was performed to determine the variables associated with not obtaining care.</p>

Erosion affects both dentitions but has proved difficult to measure. It has been thought to affect children who are less susceptible to caries but previous studies have been confined to countries where caries prevalence is low. The aims of this study were first, to develop and then investigate the validity of an index to measure erosion in primary teeth. Secondly, to determine the prevalence of erosion in primary incisors amongst kindergarten children in Jeddah and its relationship to caries in the same children. Thirdly, to investigate determinants of erosion and caries in the sample. A sample of 41 exfoliated and extracted primary anterior teeth were scored visually and photographically and scores related to appearance on section. Erosion, caries and rampant caries were then measured in a sample of 987 children. The survey included a questionnaire to parents. Scores used in the index through visual inspection and photographs were related consistently to appearance of lost enamel on section. Sensitivity was 0.94 and specificity was 1.0. Kappa values for repeat assessments all exceeded 0.77. Thirty one percent of the children in the survey had evidence of erosion on clinical examination. For 186 this was confined to enamel but for 123 it involved dentine and/or pulp. Amongst the 727 who had readable photographs, 30% had erosion on photographic and 36% on clinical examination. Agreement was seen between the two methods for 93% of the surfaces included. Caries affected 720 (73%) of the children and rampant caries 336 (34%). More children with caries, (excluding rampant caries), had erosion (36%) than children who were caries free (27%). Vitamin C supplements, frequent use of carbonated drinks and the consumption of fruit syrup from a feeding bottle at bed/nap time as a baby were all related to erosion. These drinks were also related to caries but were part of a larger number of significant factors including socio-demographic measures and oral hygiene practices.

This study’s objectives were to: 1. Determine the prevalence of oral care policies in daycares and elementary schools. 2. Examine the availability of resources. 3. Analyze the results by neighborhood income class. Information was collected using a questionnaire. Differences in proportion of institutions with policy, comparisons between daycares and schools, and prevalence of policies by neighborhood income class were performed. Qualitative responses were categorized and interpreted from a qualitative standpoint. Most institutions did not have a policy regarding oral hygiene. Daycares were more likely to have a policy (17% vs. 5%, p<0.001), and more likely to have sinks for toothbrushing (85% vs. 51%, p<0.001). No significant difference in policy prevalence was found among income neighborhoods. Most institutions did not have a policy regarding oral hygiene. The findings suggest that there is a need for a uniform oral care policy in educational institutions, supported by appropriate resources for its implementation.

This study’s objectives were to: 1. Determine the prevalence of oral care policies in daycares and elementary schools. 2. Examine the availability of resources. 3. Analyze the results by neighborhood income class. Information was collected using a questionnaire. Differences in proportion of institutions with policy, comparisons between daycares and schools, and prevalence of policies by neighborhood income class were performed. Qualitative responses were categorized and interpreted from a qualitative standpoint. Most institutions did not have a policy regarding oral hygiene. Daycares were more likely to have a policy (17% vs. 5%, p<0.001), and more likely to have sinks for toothbrushing (85% vs. 51%, p<0.001). No significant difference in policy prevalence was found among income neighborhoods. Most institutions did not have a policy regarding oral hygiene. The findings suggest that there is a need for a uniform oral care policy in educational institutions, supported by appropriate resources for its implementation.

Thesis--University of Turku. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 183-197).

Thesis--University of Turku. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 183-197).