The association between health attitudes and practices and oral health related behaviors in Israel

Objectives: Examine the association between health attitudes and behaviors, and oral health behaviors in Israel
Methods: Secondary data analysis of a cross-sectional national Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices (KAP) survey in Israel. Univariate and Multivariate analysis assessed the association between health attitudes and behaviors and oral health behaviors namely tooth brushing frequency and dental clinic attendance
Results: A statistically significant association was observed between clustered health-compromising behaviors (HCB) and oral health behaviors: the higher the score the higher the likelihood of inappropriate tooth brushing (OR=1.56, 95%CI=1.85-2.62, OR= 2.20, 95%CI=1.31-1.86 respectively). A significant association was also observed using a compound variable of negative health attitudes (NHA): the higher the score the higher the likelihood of inappropriate tooth brushing (OR=1.43, 95%CI=1.55-2.17, and OR=1.84, 95% CI=1.22-1.68 respectively). A statistical significant association was also found between gender (women), ethnicity (Jews), socioeconomic status (higher), education (higher) and employment (yes), and better oral health behaviors
Conclusions: Positive general health behaviors and attitudes are associated with better oral health behaviors in a dose response association. These findings should be used to design appropriate and tailored health promotion programs in order to achieve oral and general behavioral change. Interventions should be also targeted toward high-risk groups in the population.