Determinants of Oral HealthRelated quality of life in Older Adults in a Health Facility in Tacna 2024

Abstract

Objective: To determine the relationship between the determinants and the Oral Health-Related Quality of Life (OHRQOL) of older adults attending a Health Center in Tacna, Peru. Material and Methods: Observational, relational, prospective, cross-sectional, and quantitative approach design. The sample consisted of 152 adults aged 60 years and older attended at the Viñani Health Center during 2024. They were selected by non-probability convenience sampling, prior to obtaining informed consent. Those with mental or physical incapacity were excluded. The Geriatric/General Oral Health Assessment Index (GOHAI) questionnaire was applied. The Chisquare test and the Spearman's rank correlation coefficient were used for statistical analysis. Results: It was evidenced that Oral Health-Related Quality of Life presented a low self-perception in 71.1% of participants. This low self-perception was prominent in the physical (69.7%), psychosocial (56.6%), and pain (57.9%) dimensions. A significant correlation was observed with sex (p = 0.002), with
low self-perception being more common among women (79.2%). Correlation was also found with married status (p<0.001), speaking only one language (p = 0.004), and low educational level (p = 0.014; rho = 0.199). Finally, a notable correlation was found with the type of activity and the non-use of dental prostheses (both with p< 0.001). No significant association was found with the determinant variables of age (p = 0.232), place of origin (p = 0.635), duration of prosthesis use (p = 0.957), or last dental visit (p = 0.422). Conclusion: There is a significant correlation between the Oral Health-Related Quality of Life of older adults and determinants such as marital status, language spoken, educational level, type of activity, and use of dental prostheses.