Oral health literacy and oral health behaviors of disadvantaged women residing in the slum area of Zahedan, Iran: A cross-sectional study

Background: Disadvantaged subjects are considered a high-risk group due to limited access, insufficient awareness of oral health and lack of preventive behaviors. This study explores oral health literacy (OHL), oral health behaviors (OHB), and factors associated with OHL among women living in the slums of Zahedan in Iran. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out on 216 disadvantaged women in the slums of Zahedan city in Iran in 2020. The women’s OHL and OHB data were collected using the Persian version of the previously validated Oral Health Literacy-Adult Questionnaire. Statistical analyses, including descriptive and analytical statistics, such as multivariable linear regression analysis, were conducted using the STATA software version 14.2. Results: All 216 female subjects residing in the slum areas of Zahedan city completed the questionnaire (response rate: 100%). The mean age of participants was 26.7 (±5.03) years. The respondents’ mean score of OHL was 7.6 (±2.47) out of 17. Of the participants, 18.98% reported brushing their teeth twice or more daily, 83.3% used fluoride toothpaste, 37.96% had visited a dentist within the past year, 50.93% consumed sugary snacks less than twice per day, and 87.96% did not smoke. In the regression analysis, there was a significant positive relationship between OHL and age (P 0.001), occupation (P=0.03), and education level (P 0.001). Conclusion: The level of OHL among women in the slum area was insufficient. The significant positive associations between OHL and factors such as age, occupation, and education level suggest that targeted educational interventions and community-based programs may be needed to improve this population’s oral health knowledge and behaviors.