Relationship of Halitosis Concern with Oral Health Behaviors and Knowledge Among Myanmar People

Abstract

Objective: The objective of this study was to access the relationship of halitosis concern with oral health \nbehaviors and knowledge among Myanmar people. \nMethods: This survey was conducted on 257 samples (93 males and 164 females) with the age range from \n16 to 65 years old, in Yangon, Myanmar. All the participants filled a questionnaire focusing on halitosis \nconcern, oral health behaviors, and oral health related knowledge. The correlation between halitosis concern \nand demographic factors, oral health behaviors, and knowledge were analyzed. \nResults: 91.8% (n=236) of the sample population with the average age of 32-year-old expressed concern \nabout halitosis, and 65.4% have encountered another person’s bad breath. The participants that reported a \nconcern about halitosis were married people (p<0.05). There is a significant relationship between halitosis \nconcern and oral hygiene practice such as regular toothbrushing, use of toothbrush and toothpaste, less use \nof any form of tobacco and high oral health knowledge (p<0.05). \nConclusion: This study showed that a person who concerns halitosis had better oral hygiene behaviors and \noral health knowledge than those who do not a concern. The prevalence of halitosis concern was high, and \nthere is a need to recommend taking proper halitosis measurements by professionals and to improve public \nknowledge about halitosis. It is essential to support best practices and empowerment for effective self-care.