Abstract

MODIKOE, MM; REID, M  and  NEL, R. Oral health-related knowledge, attitudes and practices of adult patients in Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality, South Africa. S. Afr. dent. j. [online]. 2019, vol.74, n.4, pp.180-186. ISSN 0375-1562.  http://dx.doi.org/10.17159/2519-0105/2019/v74no4a3.

INTRODUCTION: Planning and implementation of oral health education is of more value when oral health-related knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) are known AIM: To assess and describe oral health-related KAP of adult patients in the Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality using the theory of planned behaviour METHODS: A quantitative descriptive design was used and data were collected from a sample of 207 adult oral health patients using a questionnaire based on the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB RESULTS: Positive responses by participants towards oral-related KAP were regarded as strengthening oral health-related practices. Oral health-related knowledge as reflected by participants' behavioural beliefs (93.7%), normative beliefs (81.1%), subjective norms (70%) and perceived behavioural control (71.9%) strengthened oral health behaviours positively. Participants' control beliefs did not strengthen oral health practices. Participants' attitudes (62.3%),intention (98.5%), actual behavioural control (99%) and behaviour (95.1%) strengthened oral health-related practices Adult patients generally portrayed behavioural beliefs, normative beliefs, subjective norms and perceived behavioural control that strengthened oral health behaviours positively. CONCLUSIONS: Understanding oral health-related KAP of adult patients would assist role players in the health sector to plan evidence based oral health education. Healthcare workers should be sensitive to the KAP of adult patients receiving oral health-related care

Keywords : Oral health; knowledge; attitudes; practices; theory of planned behaviour.

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