WAU Congress Agenda is now available.

WORLD ANTHROPOLOGICAL UNION

CONGRESS 2024​

Paper

Determinants of oral health knowledge and dental care practices amongst students at a South African University

presenters

    Kwandisa Nxumalo

    Nationality: South Africa

    Residence: South Africa

    Presence:Face to Face/ On Site

Oral health practices are employed for many reasons. These practices are informed by societal views and understandings. Dental care forms part of ritual practices of the mouth cavity in different communities for different purposes. Rituals are patterns of behaviour performed religiously by individuals or a community, with attached meaning(s), which are sometimes practical and, in other instances, symbolic or both. Rituals and societal views impact how individuals practice dental care. For health reasons, prioritising dental care is necessary and contributes to the overall well-being of an individual. Dental hygiene can impact the quality of life of a person. This study seeks to assess the determinants of oral health knowledge and practices among students at a South African University. The study utilised a quantitative approach, where the questionnaire included both closed-ended and open-ended questions. The study was conducted at a South African university in the Eastern Cape province. Participants were students, both undergraduate and postgraduate. There were 209 participants in the study. The qualitative data, which was analysed thematically, shows that economic, socioecological, and geographical influences assist in accounting for the emerging determinants and reasoning of students’ dental health decision-making. Understanding the factors that shape the attitudes and perspectives of students on their dental health will help improve and develop health education programs on dental care amongst the youth, which makes up a significant amount of the population.

Keywords:

Oral health, dental health, dental care, university students, South Africa