Cognitive-Behavioral Determinants of Oral Health in students: an Application of Pender's Health Promotion Model

Background and Objectives: Identifying the effective factors on oral health behaviors could have an important role in promotion of oral health in diabetic patients. Therefore, the aim of the present study was the assessment of cognitive-behavioral determinants of oral health in students using Pender's Health Promotion Model. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 251 subjects were selected from Azad University, Payame Noor University and Sarab Faculty of Medical Sciences by multistage random sampling in 2016. To collect data, a standard instrument was applied based on Health Promotion Model (HPM) structures. This questionnaire consisted of three parts: demographic variables, Pender’s HPM constructs items based on oral and dental health promotion, and health behavior. Results: The mean age (standard deviation) was (21.9 ± 1.67). Oral health behaviors had statistically significant correlations with all of the HPM structures except for situational influences (r = 0.048). The HPM structures were able to predict 43.6% of oral heath behaviors and 24.6% of commitment to action. Self-efficacy (β = 0.342) was the strongest predictor to behavior and perceived barriers of commitment to action (β = -0.217). Conclusions: According to the results, self-efficacy was the strongest predictor of oral health behaviors and perceived barriers was the strongest predictors of commitment to action plan. Generally, based on the present study findings, HPM may be used as an appropriate framework for identifying factors and developing educational interventions, aiming at improving oral health behaviors among students