Health literacy in dentistry among undergraduate students in Indonesia

Abstract

Background and Objective: Oral health literacy is an emerging focus of public health research and has been found to be an important predictor of oral health outcomes. Data on oral health literacy in Indonesia, which is the world’s 4th most populous country is absent from the literature. The objective of this pilot study was to develop an Indonesian version of the Health Literacy in Dentistry (HeLD) instrument and to analyze its reliability among undergraduate students. Materials and Methods: The HeLD questionnaire was back translated into Indonesian. The 29 items of the HeLD scale were used to assess the components of oral health literacy. The reliability of the HeLD domains (receptivity, understanding, support, economic barriers, access, communication and utilization) were evaluated in undergraduate students from the University of Indonesia. Results: Three hundred and eighty one students completed the questionnaire. The mean total HeLD score was 3.3±0.57. Oral health literacy was higher among female students and those studying in health-related fields. All domains had high internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.94). The Spearman’s correlation coefficients between the seven domains of HeLD were significant (all p<0.001). Conclusion: The Indonesian version of the HeLD appears to be a reliable instrument. Future studies should complement its psychometric testing and extend its application to various communities.