Fatores associados ao conhecimento de agentes comunitários de saúde em relação à saúde bucal

• Published in: Cadernos Saúde Coletiva 2018-08, Vol.26 (3), p.292-297
• Main Authors: Santana, Tatiane Brito, Azevedo, Bruno Del Sarto, Maia, Ana Carolina Del-Sarto Azevedo
• Format: Article
• Language: eng ; por
• Subjects: agentes comunitários de saúde; conhecimentos, atitudes e prática em saúde; PUBLIC, ENVIRONMENTAL & OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH; saúde bucal
• ISSN: 1414-462X; 2358-291X; 2358-291X
• DOI: 10.1590/1414-462X201800030420

BackgroundIt is important that the community health workers (CHW) have enough knowledge to conduct educational practices and adequate referral of users, thus collaborating to address the health problems of the population.ObjectiveIn this context, the objective of this study was to analyze the factors associated with knowledge of CHW about oral health.MethodThis is a cross-sectional study conducted with 255 CHW in the municipality of Jequié, Bahia state, Brazil. Two questionnaires were applied to CHW for sociodemographic and occupational characterization and evaluation of knowledge about oral health. Magnitude of association was assessed by prevalence ratio and 95% confidence interval.ResultsLow level of knowledge about oral health proved to be directly associated with male gender, lower education, longer service life as CHW, and absence of a dentist in the staff of the health care unit.ConclusionThe findings of this study provide new knowledge to be considered by managers and professionals responsible for the education in oral health of CHW, especially by highlighting the positive impact that the presence of a dentist in the health team may have on the expansion of this knowledge.