Oral Health Service Utilisation Behaviour and Its Influencing Factors Among Older Adults: An Empirical Study Based on the Composite Health Behaviour Model.
Xiaoyuan Pan, Shuwen Su, Jianli Li, Leyi Han, Xinyue Chen
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Abstract
Background: China's aging population faces significant unmet oral health care needs, with delayed service utilisation exacerbating disease burden. Currently, there is a lack of empirical research applying composite health models and analysing pathway relationships among influencing factors in this population.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from July to September 2023 among 356 older adults in Foshan and Guangzhou using a theory-driven questionnaire. Group comparisons used independent t tests/analysis of variance for sociodemographic variables. Structural equation modelling (SEM) with maximum likelihood estimation was employed to validate pathways.
Results: Significant differences were observed: sex and age affected individual model variables; education, residence location, and economic status influenced multiple variables; and living arrangement showed no significant effects. Only 34.04% of older adults proactively sought oral health knowledge, while 65.03% did not receive regular dental checkups. Just 51.84% sought treatment (scaling, fillings, extractions, dentures, implants). When acute oral pain disrupted daily life, 25.15% still delayed medical care. SEM revealed that behavioural intention/control had the strongest total effect on utilisation behaviour (β = 0.593) followed by perceived benefits (β = 0.404), subjective norms exerted only indirect effects (β = 0.216), and both subjective norms (β = 0.365) and perceived benefits (β = 0.282) directly influenced behavioural intention and control.
Conclusion: Oral health service utilisation among older adults remains passive. The present authors' model identifies three key modifiable factors: behavioural intention and control, perceived benefits, and subjective norms. Strategies to enhance service utilisation should focus on strengthening social support and modifying unrealistic health perceptions.
期刊介绍：
Clinicians, general practitioners, teachers, researchers, and public health administrators will find this journal an indispensable source of essential, timely information about scientific progress in the fields of oral health and the prevention of caries, periodontal diseases, oral mucosal diseases, and dental trauma. Central topics, including oral hygiene, oral epidemiology, oral health promotion, and public health issues, are covered in peer-reviewed articles such as clinical and basic science research reports; reviews; invited focus articles, commentaries, and guest editorials; and symposium, workshop, and conference proceedings.
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