Analysis on the status quo and influencing factors of oral health knowledge, attitude and behavior among medical college students in Hefei city

ObjectiveTo investigate the status quo and influencing factors of oral health knowledge, attitude and behavior among medical college students in Hefei city.

MethodsA total of 801 students from 3 medical colleges and universities in Hefei city were selected using cluster random sampling method, and investigated using a self-designed questionnaire.

ResultsThe total awareness rate of oral health knowledge was 66.09%, the total positive attitude rate of oral health was 70.37%, and the total formation rate of oral health behavior was 44.25%.The oral health scores of knowledge, attitude and behavior in female students were higher than those in male students(P < 0.01), and the oral health scores of knowledge, attitude and behavior in urban students were higher than those in rural students(P < 0.01).The oral health scores of knowledge, attitude and behavior did not increase with the increasing of grades, but the difference of which was statistically significant(P < 0.01).The knowledge, attitude and behavior of oral health among students were positively correlated to each other(P < 0.01).The oral health scores of knowledge, attitude and behavior in students majoring in stomatology were higher than those in other major students(P < 0.05 to P < 0.01).The results of logistic regression analysis showed that gender, place of origin, grade, profession and self-assessment were the main influencing factors of oral health knowledge, the gender, place of origin, grade, self-assessment of oral health status and oral health education were the influencing factors of the oral health attitude, and the gender, place of origin, profession and self-assessment of oral health status were the influencing factors of oral health behavior(P < 0.05 to P < 0.01).

ConclusionsThe knowledge and attitude of oral health among medical college and university students in Hefei city are at a medium level, but the behavior of oral health is at a low level.Therefore, it is necessary to strengthen oral health education work to improve the oral health literacy level of the students in colleges and universities.