J Korean Acad Oral Health.  2012 Dec;36(4):309-314.

The differences of oral health-related behaviors by type of school among high school students in Gangneung city

• Kim SI
• Lee HR
• Ma DS
• Park DY
• Jung SH

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
The principle purpose of this study was to investigate the differences of oral health-related behaviors by a type of school among high school students in Gangneung city. The secondary purpose was to assess the influences of other factors (father's education status, mother's education status, subjective economic status, FAS, experienced part-time job, pocket money and perceived stress) on these differences.
METHODS
A cross-sectional survey of 1,282 high school students was conducted in Gangneung city. The response rate was 93.4%; general high school students were 773 and vocational high school students were 509. The data were collected by self-administered structured questionnaires. The differences of oral health-related behaviors of high school students by school type were assessed by a chisquare test. Logistic regression models were used to analyze the influences of other factors on these differences.
RESULTS
Oral health-related behaviors were markedly better in students attending general high school, rather than vocational high school (P<0.001). The differences of oral health-related behaviors by school type were persisted after adjusting for gender (Model 1), socio-economic factors (Model 2), part-time job and pocket money (Model 3), psychological variables (Model 4) and all variables (Model 5), except for visiting a dental clinic.
CONCLUSIONS
We found a marked influence of school type in oral health-related behaviors. This finding suggests that school type is a risk factor of oral health-related behaviors in high school students. Therefore, one of the best ways to enhance oral health for high school students is to develop oral health promotion programs for vocational high school students.

Keyword

Difference; Oral health inequality; Oral health-related behavior; Type of school

MeSH Terms

Cross-Sectional Studies
Humans
Logistic Models
Oral Health
Surveys and Questionnaires
Risk Factors

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