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Informing a culturally appropriate approach to oral health and dental care for pre-school refugee children: a community participatory study.
- Source :
-
BMC oral health [BMC Oral Health] 2014 Jun 13; Vol. 14, pp. 69. Date of Electronic Publication: 2014 Jun 13. - Publication Year :
- 2014
-
Abstract
- Background: Pre-school children in families of recently settled refugees often have very high rates of early childhood caries (ECC). ECC is associated with a high level of morbidity and is largely preventable, however effective culturally appropriate models of care are lacking. This study aimed to provide a deeper understanding of the refugee experience related to early oral health by exploring pre-school refugee families (i) understanding of ECC and child oral health, (ii) experiences of accessing dental services and (iii) barriers and enablers for achieving improved oral health. The knowledge gained will be critical to the development of effective early oral health programs in refugee children.<br />Methods: Community based participatory qualitative methodology using focus groups of resettled refugee families and community refugee nurse interviews. A community reference group was established and a bi-lingual community research associate was employed. Transcripts were analysed for thematic content using NVivo software.<br />Results: There were 44 participants: eight focus groups (nine countries of origin) and five interviews. Emergent themes were (i) the major influence of parents' previous experience, including their beliefs about deciduous (baby) teeth, traditional feeding practices and poverty; and a consequent lack of understanding of the importance of early oral health and early dental caries, (ii) the burden of resettlement including prioritising, parenting, learning about new foods and how to assimilate into the community, and (iii) refugees' difficulties in accessing both information and dental services, and the role of schools in addressing these issues. An Opportunities for Change Model was proposed.<br />Conclusions: The main implication of the study is the demonstration of how enhanced understanding of the refugee experience can inform improvement in early oral prevention and treatment. The community participatory methodology of the study provided a basis for cross-cultural understanding and has already assisted in translating the findings and raising awareness in the provision of targeted refugee oral health services.
- Subjects :
- Access to Information
Acculturation
Adult
Attitude to Health
Child, Preschool
Community-Based Participatory Research
Consumer Health Information
Feeding Methods
Female
Focus Groups
Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
Health Literacy
Health Services Accessibility
Humans
Male
Parenting
Parents psychology
Poverty
Qualitative Research
Schools
Tooth, Deciduous anatomy & histology
Western Australia
Cultural Competency
Dental Care
Dental Caries prevention & control
Oral Health
Refugees
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 1472-6831
- Volume :
- 14
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- BMC oral health
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 24923308
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1186/1472-6831-14-69