Structural equation model for parental influence on children’s oral health practice and status

Abstract Background Children’s oral health status (OHS) can be influenced by their oral health practices and many parental factors. This study aimed to investigate pathways from parental factors to oral health practices and status of children in Hong Kong. Methods Using a combination of random and p...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Yan Zhang, Kar Yan Li, Edward Chin Man Lo, May Chun Mei Wong
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2020-02-01
Series:BMC Oral Health
Subjects:
Online Access:http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12903-020-1048-2
_version_ 1811204310204153856
author Yan Zhang
Kar Yan Li
Edward Chin Man Lo
May Chun Mei Wong
author_facet Yan Zhang
Kar Yan Li
Edward Chin Man Lo
May Chun Mei Wong
author_sort Yan Zhang
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Children’s oral health status (OHS) can be influenced by their oral health practices and many parental factors. This study aimed to investigate pathways from parental factors to oral health practices and status of children in Hong Kong. Methods Using a combination of random and purposive sampling of Hong Kong households, 432 families with children aged 5–7 participated in a cross-sectional survey. Data on socioeconomic status, smoking, and oral health knowledge, attitudes, and practices, as well as OHS of parents and parents’ knowledge of and attitudes towards their children’s oral health, were collected through a questionnaire. Tooth status, periodontal status, and oral hygiene data were also collected through clinical examination. Correlations of oral health behaviors (OHB) and OHS within families were assessed by confirmatory factor analysis. A conceptual model of the parental influences on children’s oral health practices and status was tested by a structural equation model (SEM). Chi-square test, chi-square/df, nonnormed fit index, comparative fit index, and root mean square error of approximation were used to assess the model fit. Results Fit indexes for confirmatory factor analysis and SEM showed good fit. Positive correlations of OHB and OHS were found within the families that ranged from 0.74 to 0.98 for OHB and 0.30 to 0.43 for OHS. SEM showed better socioeconomic status of mothers led to better oral health knowledge and attitude (γ = 0.75, P < 0.001) and also towards their children’s better oral health knowledge and attitude (γ = 0.44, P < 0.01). Parents’ attitudes towards their children’s oral health (β = 0.40, P = 0.04) and mothers’ OHB (β = 0.60, P < 0.001) were positively associated with OHB of children. Positive OHB of children (β = − 0.48, P < 0.01) in turn led to better oral health. Conclusions Correlations of OHB and OHS between mothers and children were stronger than those of fathers. Children’s OHS was directly affected by their mothers’ OHB, which in turn were affected by parents’ oral health knowledge, attitudes, and practices.
first_indexed 2024-04-12T03:10:48Z
format Article
id doaj.art-68afea20884b429683d9294c14bacbb4
institution Directory Open Access Journal
issn 1472-6831
language English
last_indexed 2024-04-12T03:10:48Z
publishDate 2020-02-01
publisher BMC
record_format Article
series BMC Oral Health
spelling doaj.art-68afea20884b429683d9294c14bacbb42022-12-22T03:50:22ZengBMCBMC Oral Health1472-68312020-02-0120111010.1186/s12903-020-1048-2Structural equation model for parental influence on children’s oral health practice and statusYan Zhang0Kar Yan Li1Edward Chin Man Lo2May Chun Mei Wong3Dental Public Health, Faculty of Dentistry, The University of Hong KongFaculty of Dentistry, The University of Hong KongDental Public Health, Faculty of Dentistry, The University of Hong KongDental Public Health, Faculty of Dentistry, The University of Hong KongAbstract Background Children’s oral health status (OHS) can be influenced by their oral health practices and many parental factors. This study aimed to investigate pathways from parental factors to oral health practices and status of children in Hong Kong. Methods Using a combination of random and purposive sampling of Hong Kong households, 432 families with children aged 5–7 participated in a cross-sectional survey. Data on socioeconomic status, smoking, and oral health knowledge, attitudes, and practices, as well as OHS of parents and parents’ knowledge of and attitudes towards their children’s oral health, were collected through a questionnaire. Tooth status, periodontal status, and oral hygiene data were also collected through clinical examination. Correlations of oral health behaviors (OHB) and OHS within families were assessed by confirmatory factor analysis. A conceptual model of the parental influences on children’s oral health practices and status was tested by a structural equation model (SEM). Chi-square test, chi-square/df, nonnormed fit index, comparative fit index, and root mean square error of approximation were used to assess the model fit. Results Fit indexes for confirmatory factor analysis and SEM showed good fit. Positive correlations of OHB and OHS were found within the families that ranged from 0.74 to 0.98 for OHB and 0.30 to 0.43 for OHS. SEM showed better socioeconomic status of mothers led to better oral health knowledge and attitude (γ = 0.75, P < 0.001) and also towards their children’s better oral health knowledge and attitude (γ = 0.44, P < 0.01). Parents’ attitudes towards their children’s oral health (β = 0.40, P = 0.04) and mothers’ OHB (β = 0.60, P < 0.001) were positively associated with OHB of children. Positive OHB of children (β = − 0.48, P < 0.01) in turn led to better oral health. Conclusions Correlations of OHB and OHS between mothers and children were stronger than those of fathers. Children’s OHS was directly affected by their mothers’ OHB, which in turn were affected by parents’ oral health knowledge, attitudes, and practices.http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12903-020-1048-2Oral health practiceOral health statusChildrenParental influence
spellingShingle Yan Zhang
Kar Yan Li
Edward Chin Man Lo
May Chun Mei Wong
Structural equation model for parental influence on children’s oral health practice and status
BMC Oral Health
Oral health practice
Oral health status
Children
Parental influence
title Structural equation model for parental influence on children’s oral health practice and status
title_full Structural equation model for parental influence on children’s oral health practice and status
title_fullStr Structural equation model for parental influence on children’s oral health practice and status
title_full_unstemmed Structural equation model for parental influence on children’s oral health practice and status
title_short Structural equation model for parental influence on children’s oral health practice and status
title_sort structural equation model for parental influence on children s oral health practice and status
topic Oral health practice
Oral health status
Children
Parental influence
url http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12903-020-1048-2
work_keys_str_mv AT yanzhang structuralequationmodelforparentalinfluenceonchildrensoralhealthpracticeandstatus
AT karyanli structuralequationmodelforparentalinfluenceonchildrensoralhealthpracticeandstatus
AT edwardchinmanlo structuralequationmodelforparentalinfluenceonchildrensoralhealthpracticeandstatus
AT maychunmeiwong structuralequationmodelforparentalinfluenceonchildrensoralhealthpracticeandstatus