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The impact of functional health literacy and acculturation on the oral health status of somali refugees living in Massachusetts

Author

Listed:
  • Geltman, P.L.
  • Adams, J.H.
  • Cochran, J.
  • Doros, G.
  • Rybin, D.
  • Henshaw, M.
  • Barnes, L.L.
  • Paasche-Orlow, M.

Abstract

Objectives. We assessed the impact of health literacy and acculturation on oral health status of Somali refugees in Massachusetts. Methods. Between December 2009 and June 2011, we surveyed 439 adult Somalis who had lived in the United States 10 years or less. Assessments included oral examinations with decayed, missing, and filled teeth (DMFT) counts and measurement of spoken English and health literacy. We tested associations with generalized linear regression models. Results. Participants had means of 1.4 decayed, 2.8 missing, and 1.3 filled teeth. Among participants who had been in the United States 0 to 4 years, lower health literacy scores correlated with lower DMFT (rate ratio [RR] = 0.78; P = .016). Among participants who had been in the country 5 to 10 years, lower literacy scores correlated with higher DMFT (RR = 1.37; P = .012). Literacy was not significantly associated with decayed teeth. Lower literacy scores correlated marginally with lower risk of periodontal disease (odds ratio = 0.22; P = .047). Conclusions. Worsening oral health of Somali refugees over time may be linked to less access to preventive care and less utilization of beneficial oral hygiene practices. © 2013 American Journal of Public Health.

Suggested Citation

  • Geltman, P.L. & Adams, J.H. & Cochran, J. & Doros, G. & Rybin, D. & Henshaw, M. & Barnes, L.L. & Paasche-Orlow, M., 2013. "The impact of functional health literacy and acculturation on the oral health status of somali refugees living in Massachusetts," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 103(8), pages 1516-1523.
    • Handle: RePEc:aph:ajpbhl:10.2105/ajph.2012.300885_8
    DOI: 10.2105/AJPH.2012.300885
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    Cited by:

    1. Bibhuti K. Sar, 2023. "Refugee Family Health Brokers’ (FHBs’) Experiences with Health Care Providers: A Thematic Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(7), pages 1-14, April.
    2. Yonas Semere Kidane & Sandra Ziegler & Verena Keck & Janine Benson-Martin & Albrecht Jahn & Temesghen Gebresilassie & Claudia Beiersmann, 2021. "Eritrean Refugees’ and Asylum-Seekers’ Attitude towards and Access to Oral Healthcare in Heidelberg, Germany: A Qualitative Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(21), pages 1-20, November.
    3. Dorina Lauritano & Giulia Moreo & Francesco Carinci & Vincenzo Campanella & Fedora Della Vella & Massimo Petruzzi, 2021. "Oral Health Status among Migrants from Middle- and Low-Income Countries to Europe: A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(22), pages 1-37, November.
    4. Sneha Bhusari & Chiamaka Ilechukwu & Abdelrahman Elwishahy & Olaf Horstick & Volker Winkler & Khatia Antia, 2020. "Dental Caries among Refugees in Europe: A Systematic Literature Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(24), pages 1-11, December.
    5. Murad Alrashdi & Maria Jose Cervantes Mendez & Moshtagh R. Farokhi, 2021. "A Randomized Clinical Trial Preventive Outreach Targeting Dental Caries and Oral-Health-Related Quality of Life for Refugee Children," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(4), pages 1-10, February.

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