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

Identifying the effective factors on oral health behaviors
could have an important role in promotion of oral health in diabetic patients. Terefore,
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. Tis questionnaire consisted of
three parts: demographic variables, Pender’s HPM constructs items based on oral and
dental health promotion, and health behavior.
Results: Te mean age (standard deviation) was (21.9 ± 1.67). Oral health behaviors had
statistically signifcant correlations with all of the HPM structures except for situational
influences (r = 0.048). Te HPM structures were able to predict 43.6% of oral heath
behaviors and 24.6% of commitment to action. Self-efcacy (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-efcacy 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 fndings, HPM may be used as an
appropriate framework for identifying factors and developing educational interventions,
aiming at improving oral health behaviors among students