Psychometric properties testing of the Myanmar version of the oral health literacy questionnaire among Myanmar migrant mothers of preschool children

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Objective To evaluate the validity and reliability of the Myanmar version of the oral health literacy (OHL) questionnaire among Myanmar migrant mothers of preschool children. Methods The OHL questionnaire was cross-culturally adapted into the Myanmar language and administered as a self-completed survey among Myanmar migrant mothers of preschool children in Thailand. The questionnaire assessed sociodemographic characteristics, oral health knowledge (OHK), and OHL. Children's dental caries status, assessed using the decayed, missing, and filled teeth (dmft) index and examined independently by two dentists, and mothers' previous dental visits were used to assess discriminant validity. Psychometric properties were evaluated using internal consistency, exploratory factor analysis, and test-retest reliability with the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Results A total of 133 mothers participated (mean age 35.2 ± 5.9 years); 46.2% were of Mon ethnicity, 44.6% had a middle school education, and 55.1% were factory workers. Fewer than half understood key dental terms, with the poorest understanding observed for “periodontitis”, “sealants”, and “mottled tooth”, whereas “local anesthesia” was the most well-understood term. Correct knowledge of cariogenic foods ( p = 0.019), the appropriate age to start toothbrushing ( p = 0.001), and toothpaste use for preschool children ( p = 0.002) were significantly associated with OHL scores, while knowledge regarding bottle-feeding cessation and fluoride treatment was not. Exploratory factor analysis identified a two-factor structure consisting of communicative/information OHL and critical evaluation. Inter-examiner reliability for caries assessment indicated good reliability ( κ = 0.764). The OHL questionnaire demonstrated acceptable internal consistency (Cronbach's α = 0.714), but test-retest reliability was poor. The total OHL scores did not differ significantly by children's dental caries experience ( p = 0.161) and mothers' previous dental visit ( p = 0.054). Conclusion The findings of the present study provide preliminary evidence supporting the internal consistency and two-factor structure of the Myanmar version of the OHL questionnaire; however, further studies are needed to strengthen evidence for its psychometric properties.

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Related topics: Dental Health and Care Utilization · Health Literacy and Information Accessibility · Oral microbiology and periodontitis research