Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices to Periodontal Health of the Northeast Chinese Public: Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Background: Periodontitis affects approximately 50% of adults in China and is a leading cause of tooth loss in this population. However, there is a notable paucity of research on knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) related to periodontitis among patients in Northeast China. Objective: This study aimed to investigate the KAP regarding periodontitis among populations in Northeast China, focusing on 5 demographic factors: gender, age, income, education level, and region. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted by convenience sampling over a period of 1 week. A structured questionnaire was used to collect detailed responses on periodontitis-related KAP. Descriptive statistics (means, SDs, frequencies, and percentages) were used. Normality was assessed by Shapiro-Wilk tests. Nonparametric Kruskal-Wallis and multivariate regression analyses were conducted to examine demographic influences and interactions on periodontal KAP scores. Statistical significance was defined at P