Social Capital and Oral Health-Related Quality of Life: A Cross-Sectional Study Among Periodontitis Patients in Isfahan, Iran

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: Addressing social determinants of health is one of the essential principles for promoting more equitable oral health outcomes for people. An essential element of the social determinants of health theory is the concept of social and community networks, or social capital. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between social capital and oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) in individuals with periodontal disease. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, 300 patients diagnosed with periodontitis (stages II and III) participated. Social capital was assessed using the Onyx and Bullen scale, measuring individuals' available social networks and support. We used the OHIP-14 questionnaire to assess patients' OHRQoL. A modified version of the Oral Hygiene Self-Efficacy Questionnaire (OHSQ) was administered as a predictor of oral hygiene behaviour. Additionally, the self-reported oral health status questionnaire gauged participants' perceptions of their overall oral health. To assess group differences, Mann-Whitney or T-tests were used as part of the analysis. For correlation analysis, we compute Pearson correlation coefficients. RESULTS: According to the results, the mean score of the social capital scale and quality of life measure was 107.7 +/- 22.7 and 5.09 +/- 1.23, respectively. There was a positive association between social capital scores and OHRQoL scores with a correlation coefficient of 0.045 among periodontitis patients. However, this association was not statistically significant (p value > 0.05). In addition, women's social capital scores were significantly lower than men's score (p value < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The findings show that among people with periodontitis, social capital scores had a positive correlation with the OHRQoL level.