Acculturation and oral health in Mexican women

Sharma, Anupama

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/113912 Copy

Description

Title

Acculturation and oral health in Mexican women

Author(s)

Sharma, Anupama

Issue Date

2021-12-08

Director of Research (if dissertation) or Advisor (if thesis)

Gobin, Robyn L

Department of Study

Kinesiology & Community Health

Discipline

Community Health

Degree Granting Institution

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Degree Name

M.S.

Degree Level

Thesis

Keyword(s)

Mexican American women, periodontitis, decayed teeth, dental health, and acculturation.

Abstract

Objective: Oral health disparities such as periodontitis and untreated tooth decay are more profound in the Mexican population. Research evidence suggests, acculturation positively affects oral health in Mexican men and children. Yet the effect of acculturation on the oral health of Mexican women remains unknown. The objective of this research is to examine the impact of acculturation on oral health (i.e., periodontitis and decayed teeth) among Mexican American and Mexican immigrant women. Methods: We conducted a secondary analysis of cross-sectional data from 2014-15, 2015-16, and 2017-18 cycles of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). The sample included 1018 Hispanic women. We used crude and adjusted logistic regression models to examine the association among acculturation (measured by the length of stay in the United States, language spoken at home, and race) and oral health (measured by rates of periodontitis, decayed teeth, self-rated oral hygiene, and the date of last dental visit). Results: The crude statistical model showed that Mexican women (Mexican immigrants and Mexican American) residing in the United States for more than 5 years had higher odds (B = 2.29 p <. 05) of decayed teeth and a lower likelihood of periodontitis than Mexican women residing in the United States for less than 5 years. Mexican American women have a lower likelihood (B = 0.99, p <. 05) of periodontitis and decayed teeth (B = 0.78, p <. 05) than Non-American Mexican women. Mexican American women self-rated their tooth and gum health 1.84 times poorer than non-Mexican American women. Mexican American women had 0.56 higher odds of utilizing dental services than Non-American Mexican women. Spanish-speaking Mexican women utilized dental services less (B = 0.46) than English-speaking Mexican women, and Mexican women who are residing in the U.S for more than 5 years utilize dental services more than Mexican women who are residing in the U.S for less than 5 years. Mexican American women (B = 1.56, p <. 05) had more frequent dental visits than Mexican non-American women. Conclusion: The results of this study suggest a significant positive association between length of stay in the United States and decayed teeth and periodontitis among Mexican women. Future studies should examine the factors that contribute to better oral health among Mexican women residing in the United States.

Graduation Semester

2021-12

Type of Resource

Thesis

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http://hdl.handle.net/2142/113912

Copyright and License Information

Copyright Anupama Sharma, 2021. This work is the intellectual property of the author. Permission is granted for this material to be shared for non-commercial, educational purposes, provided that this copyright statement appears on the reproduced materials and notice is given that the copying is by permission of the author. To disseminate otherwise or to republish requires written permission from the author.

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