J Korean Acad Oral Health.  2015 Sep;39(3):220-225. 10.11149/jkaoh.2015.39.3.220.

Oral health beliefs and cultural specificity in multicultural families

• Lee TH
• Choi S
• Lee JY
• Park BY
• Paik HR
• Jin BH

• KMID: 2149162
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.11149/jkaoh.2015.39.3.220

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
The aim of this study was to evaluate the oral health beliefs and cultural specificity of multicultural families.
METHODS
Subjects were 179 adults from multicultural families living in Gwangjin-gu, Seoul. The surveys and interviews were performed between June and November 2014 in the subjects' native languages (English, Chinese, Vietnamese, and Korean). The surveys were conducted using a self-administration method and a face-to-face interviewing method with the assistance of translators.
RESULTS
Perceived barrier of oral health belief scores were higher in Vietnamese and Korean spouses than those from other countries (P<0.05). Cultural specificity scores were highest among the Japanese and lowest among the Vietnamese (P<0.01).
CONCLUSIONS
Multicultural families showed different oral health beliefs and cultural specificities. Therefore, future oral health care programs for multicultural families should consider cultural differences and adaptations.

Keyword

Cultural belief; Multicultural family; Oral health belief

MeSH Terms

Adult
Asian Continental Ancestry Group
Humans
Oral Health*
Sensitivity and Specificity*
Seoul
Spouses

Reference

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