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The purpose of this study was to analyze oral health behaviors of elementary, middle and high school students. A questionnaire survey was carried out targeting 321 students in Gwangju and Jeonnam area. As a result of collecting and analyzing data, the following conclusions were obtained.
1. A method of acquiring knowledge related to oral health was surveyed to be the most in 'neighbor and family (72.0%).’ Stress level on oral health was the highest with 44.9% in ‘feeling a little.’ Interest level was indicated to be 49.5% and 44.9%, respectively, in ‘moderate’ and ‘having no concern.’
2. As for the perceived oral health status level according to general characteristics, a case of having been responded as saying of being 'moderate' was the largest (p<0.01) with 22.7% in high school students. According to a method of the commute to and from school, 26.8% of dormitory students were indicated to be ‘moderate.’ Thus, the statistically significant difference was shown (p<0.01).
3. As for the interest level in oral health according to general characteristics, it was the largest (p<0.01) in ‘having no concern’ with 30.5% for boy students and in ‘moderate’ with 19.9% for girl students according to gender. Depending on the economic status, 33.3% of ‘middle’ were indicated to be ‘moderate,’ thereby having been indicated to be statistically significant (p<0.05).
4. As for the correlation between snack intake and beverage intake level, the correlation coefficient was 0.186(p<.001). Thus, it can be known that the more snack intake level leads to the more beverage intake amount.
In light of the above results, the factors of having influence upon oral health behaviors of elementary, middle and high school students could be confirmed to be mostly school year and economic status.
The importance of oral health education and the awareness for oral health care could be known to be lacking. Accordingly, there will be a need of practicing with always recognizing importance of oral health care through education. Also, there is a need of seeking a proper educational plan and of being supported an organized system so that education can be formed with the lifelong instruction, not what results in one-time.