ASSOCIATIONS AMONG SOCIAL HEALTH DETERMINANTS AND ORAL-RELATED HEALTH BEHAVIORS AMONG ELDERLY THAIS IN 2015

SDH and Oral Health Behaviors in Thai Elderly in 2015

Abstract

Oral-related health behaviors could be indicators of social determinants of health. Here, using data from a 2015 National Health and Welfare Survey of the National Statistical Office of Thailand, oral-related health behaviors and their association with social determinants of health were examined among Thai elderly population. Subjects (n = 26,566) were ≥60 years of age, 43.7% being males, 54.3% residing in municipal areas, 87.3% with primary education or lower, 46.0% were alcohol users, 86.6% were nonsmokers, 47.6% drank a sweetened drink at least once a day, and 56.0% suffered from chronic diseases. The majority received no health promotion (82.3%) or any dental service (93.7%) in the past 12 months. Significantly more males and younger elderlies (<75 years of age) drank alcohol (p-value <0.001 respectively) and smoked (p-value <0.001 respectively), and more younger elderlies (irrespective of gender) used dental services (p-value <0.001). Logistic regression analysis revealed among oral-related health behaviors, alcohol consumption is a significant independent parameter associated with social determinants of health. In conclusion, a survey of the Thai elderly population in 2015 shows alcohol consumption is a significant factor associating with the social determinants of health. These findings should provide a valuable input in future planning of a national health care policy in an aging society.