Factors Related to Oral Health-Related Quality of Life among Older Adults in Bangnampriao District, Chachoengsao Province: Mixed-methods Design

Abstract

This study employed a mixed-methods sequential transformative design, conducted with quantitative research followed by qualitative research. The objective was to investigate the factors associated with oral-health-related quality of life among older adults in Bangnampriao District, Chachoengsao Province. The quantitative research involved 344 participants selected through simple random sampling. Data were collected using questionnaires on demographic characteristics, the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-14), and oral health examinations conducted by trained dental personnel standardized by a licensed dentist. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and inferential statistics, including Chi-square tests and Pearson’s correlation coefficients. The qualitative samples consisted of 16 older adults who served as key informants. Data were collected through focus group discussions using a semi-structured question guide on oral health behaviors, and were analyzed using content analysis. Quantitative findings revealed that most participants had a high level of oral-health–related quality of life (98.80%). Chisquare analysis showed that the presence of cervical tooth abrasion, having at least 20 permanent teeth, and having four or more pairs of permanent posterior occluding units were significantly associated with oral-health–related quality of life (p < 0.05). Pearson’s correlation analysis indicated that the number of permanent teeth and the number of previously filled teeth were negatively correlated with oral-health–related quality of life (r = -0.285 and -0.149, respectively; p<0.05). Conversely, the number of extracted teeth, previously filled teeth, decayed–missing–filled teeth (DMFT), root caries, and cervical tooth abrasion were positively correlated with oral-health–related quality of life (r = 0.285, 0.314, 0.109, and 0.145, respectively; p<0.05). The qualitative findings revealed that the causal factors on dental health behaviors affecting oral health-related quality of life were multifactorial and categorized into three groups: intrapersonal factors, including knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions about oral health,interpersonal factors, particularly social support, and societal-level factors, such as system readiness and accessibility to oral health services. The results of this study provide essential information that can serve as input for developing oral health processes and services tailored to older adults and aligned with the social context.