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The theory of reasoned action in describing tooth brushing, dental caries and diabetes adherence among diabetic patients
Author(s) -
Syrjälä AnnaMaija H.,
Niskanen Mirka C.,
Knuuttila Matti L. E.
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
journal of clinical periodontology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.456
H-Index - 151
eISSN - 1600-051X
pISSN - 0303-6979
DOI - 10.1034/j.1600-051x.2002.290507.x
Subject(s) - tooth brushing , medicine , theory of reasoned action , diabetes mellitus , dentistry , national health and nutrition examination survey , toothbrush , brush , psychology , environmental health , population , social psychology , endocrinology , electrical engineering , engineering
Objectives: Preventive oral health behaviour is important among diabetic patients, as it has been found that dental diseases and insulin‐dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) have some psychological and biological factors in common. The aim here was to analyze the variables of Ajzen and Fishbein's theory of reasoned action to explain the reported frequency of tooth brushing, dental caries, HbA1 c level and diabetes adherence. Material and Methods: Cross‐sectional data were gathered from 149 IDDM patients by means of a quantitative questionnaire, clinical examination and patient records . Results: The results showed that a firmer intention to brush the teeth was related to a higher reported frequency of tooth brushing ( p < 0.001). The attitude to and the subjective norm of tooth brushing were related to the intention to brush( p < 0.001) and to the reported frequency of tooth brushing. A better dental attitude was related to better diabetes adherence ( p = 0.002) and fewer decayed surfaces ( p = 0.01), and a firmer intention to brush the teeth was related to a lower HbA1c level ( p = 0.015). Conclusions: Our results suggest that in oral health promotion among diabetic patients, both subjective norm and attitude are important and that diabetes adherence may be influenced by promoting dental attitude.