A Mixed Methods Comparison of Oral Hygiene Behaviors by Gender Among Mexican-Origin Young Adults in California
Objective: This mixed methods study explores gender differences in, and reasons for, toothbrushing and flossing among Mexican-origin adults. Methods: Interviews and surveys about oral hygiene behaviors were collected from 72 adults (ages 21–40) living on the California–Mexico border. Interviews were...
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| Format: | Article |
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MDPI AG
2025-01-01
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| Series: | Oral |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2673-6373/5/1/5 |
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| author | Melissa Yu Guadalupe X. Ayala Melody K. Schiaffino Kristin S. Hoeft Vanessa Malcarne Tracy L. Finlayson |
| author_facet | Melissa Yu Guadalupe X. Ayala Melody K. Schiaffino Kristin S. Hoeft Vanessa Malcarne Tracy L. Finlayson |
| author_sort | Melissa Yu |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Objective: This mixed methods study explores gender differences in, and reasons for, toothbrushing and flossing among Mexican-origin adults. Methods: Interviews and surveys about oral hygiene behaviors were collected from 72 adults (ages 21–40) living on the California–Mexico border. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed in their original language (English/Spanish), then coded. Survey responses were linked to coded transcripts in Dedoose. Qualitative reports were thematically analyzed for each behavior, stratified into four groups by gender and whether or not participants met American Dental Association (ADA) weekly guidelines (brushing ≥ 14/week; flossing ≥ 7/week). Self-reported weekly frequencies of brushing and flossing were collected continuously, and then dichotomized as meeting guidelines or not. Kruskal–Wallis and chi-square tests assessed differences in hygiene behavior frequency by gender. Negative binomial and logistic regressions were performed, accounting for socio-demographic characteristics. Results: Overall, 76% and 40% of adults met ADA guidelines for brushing and flossing, respectively. There were no differences in meeting ADA guidelines by gender. When brushing was examined continuously, women brushed 1.24 (1.05–1.47; <i>p</i> = 0.0099) times the rate of weekly brushing than men in the full model; flossing frequency differences were not found. Men and women, whether ADA guidelines were met or not, identified similar brushing and flossing facilitators (health concerns, aesthetics), and barriers (lack of time, not being home). Some women (mothers) were motivated to brush to be role models for their children. Self-efficacy, or confidence in ability to brush or floss, was described differently by adults who met ADA guidelines (high self-efficacy) compared to the adults not meeting guidelines (low self-efficacy). Conclusions: Integrating quantitative and qualitative data obtained from Mexican-origin adults identified few differences in both oral hygiene behaviors and the factors that influence their enactment. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-484088d1bd7b43478ae0364d91dccfe1 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2673-6373 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Oral |
| spelling | doaj-art-484088d1bd7b43478ae0364d91dccfe12025-08-20T03:43:25ZengMDPI AGOral2673-63732025-01-0151510.3390/oral5010005A Mixed Methods Comparison of Oral Hygiene Behaviors by Gender Among Mexican-Origin Young Adults in CaliforniaMelissa Yu0Guadalupe X. Ayala1Melody K. Schiaffino2Kristin S. Hoeft3Vanessa Malcarne4Tracy L. Finlayson5NYU Langone Dental Medicine—Hawaii Island Community Health Center Advanced Education in General Dentistry, Hilo, HI 96720, USAInstitute for Behavioral and Community Health (IBACH), San Diego, CA 92123, USASchool of Medicine, University of California San Diego (UCSD), La Jolla, CA 92093, USASchool of Dentistry, University of California San Francisco (UCSF), San Francisco, CA 94143, USADepartment of Psychology, San Diego State University (SDSU), San Diego, CA 92182, USAInstitute for Behavioral and Community Health (IBACH), San Diego, CA 92123, USAObjective: This mixed methods study explores gender differences in, and reasons for, toothbrushing and flossing among Mexican-origin adults. Methods: Interviews and surveys about oral hygiene behaviors were collected from 72 adults (ages 21–40) living on the California–Mexico border. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed in their original language (English/Spanish), then coded. Survey responses were linked to coded transcripts in Dedoose. Qualitative reports were thematically analyzed for each behavior, stratified into four groups by gender and whether or not participants met American Dental Association (ADA) weekly guidelines (brushing ≥ 14/week; flossing ≥ 7/week). Self-reported weekly frequencies of brushing and flossing were collected continuously, and then dichotomized as meeting guidelines or not. Kruskal–Wallis and chi-square tests assessed differences in hygiene behavior frequency by gender. Negative binomial and logistic regressions were performed, accounting for socio-demographic characteristics. Results: Overall, 76% and 40% of adults met ADA guidelines for brushing and flossing, respectively. There were no differences in meeting ADA guidelines by gender. When brushing was examined continuously, women brushed 1.24 (1.05–1.47; <i>p</i> = 0.0099) times the rate of weekly brushing than men in the full model; flossing frequency differences were not found. Men and women, whether ADA guidelines were met or not, identified similar brushing and flossing facilitators (health concerns, aesthetics), and barriers (lack of time, not being home). Some women (mothers) were motivated to brush to be role models for their children. Self-efficacy, or confidence in ability to brush or floss, was described differently by adults who met ADA guidelines (high self-efficacy) compared to the adults not meeting guidelines (low self-efficacy). Conclusions: Integrating quantitative and qualitative data obtained from Mexican-origin adults identified few differences in both oral hygiene behaviors and the factors that influence their enactment.https://www.mdpi.com/2673-6373/5/1/5oral hygienetoothbrushingflossingyoung adultsMexican–Americansmixed methods |
| spellingShingle | Melissa Yu Guadalupe X. Ayala Melody K. Schiaffino Kristin S. Hoeft Vanessa Malcarne Tracy L. Finlayson A Mixed Methods Comparison of Oral Hygiene Behaviors by Gender Among Mexican-Origin Young Adults in California Oral oral hygiene toothbrushing flossing young adults Mexican–Americans mixed methods |
| title | A Mixed Methods Comparison of Oral Hygiene Behaviors by Gender Among Mexican-Origin Young Adults in California |
| title_full | A Mixed Methods Comparison of Oral Hygiene Behaviors by Gender Among Mexican-Origin Young Adults in California |
| title_fullStr | A Mixed Methods Comparison of Oral Hygiene Behaviors by Gender Among Mexican-Origin Young Adults in California |
| title_full_unstemmed | A Mixed Methods Comparison of Oral Hygiene Behaviors by Gender Among Mexican-Origin Young Adults in California |
| title_short | A Mixed Methods Comparison of Oral Hygiene Behaviors by Gender Among Mexican-Origin Young Adults in California |
| title_sort | mixed methods comparison of oral hygiene behaviors by gender among mexican origin young adults in california |
| topic | oral hygiene toothbrushing flossing young adults Mexican–Americans mixed methods |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2673-6373/5/1/5 |
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