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Rural‐urban disparity in oral health‐related quality of life
Author(s) -
Gaber Amal,
Galarneau Chantal,
Feine Jocelyne S.,
Emami Elham
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
community dentistry and oral epidemiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.061
H-Index - 101
eISSN - 1600-0528
pISSN - 0301-5661
DOI - 10.1111/cdoe.12344
Subject(s) - medicine , quality of life (healthcare) , logistic regression , census , population , rural area , descriptive statistics , oral health , demography , environmental health , metropolitan area , gerontology , dentistry , statistics , nursing , mathematics , pathology , sociology
Abstract Objectives The objective of this population‐based cross‐sectional study was to estimate rural‐urban disparity in the oral health‐related quality of life (OHRQoL) of the Quebec adult population. Methods A 2‐stage sampling design was used to collect data from the 1788 parents/caregivers of schoolchildren living in the 8 regions of the province of Quebec in Canada. Andersen's behavioural model for health services utilization was used as a conceptual framework. Place of residency was defined according to the Statistics Canada Census Metropolitan Area and Census Agglomeration Influenced Zone classification. The outcome of interest was OHRQoL measured using the Oral Health Impact Profile ( OHIP )‐14 validated questionnaire. Data weighting was applied, and the prevalence, extent and severity of negative oral health impacts were calculated. Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics, bivariate analyses and binary logistic regression. Results The prevalence of poor oral health‐related quality life ( OHRQ oL) was statistically higher in rural areas than in urban zones ( P = .02). Rural residents reported a significantly higher prevalence of negative daily‐life impacts in pain , psychological discomfort and social disability OHIP domains ( P < .05). Additionally, the rural population showed a greater number of negative oral health impacts ( P = .03). There was no significant rural‐urban difference in the severity of poor oral health. Logistic regression indicated that the prevalence of poor OHRQ oL was significantly related to place of residency ( OR = 1.6; 95% CI = 1.1‐2.5; P = .022), perceived oral health ( OR = 9.4; 95% CI = 5.7‐15.5; P < .001), dental treatment needs factors (perceived need for dental treatment, pain, dental care seeking) ( OR = 8.7; 95% CI = 4.8‐15.6; P < .001) and education ( OR = 2.7; 95% CI = 1.8‐3.9; P < .001). Conclusion The results of this study suggest a potential difference in OHRQ oL of Quebec rural and urban populations, and a need to develop strategies to promote oral health outcomes, specifically for rural residents. Further studies are needed to confirm these results.