Table 2.
Factor loading from the exploratory factor analysis of the COHL (N = 370)
| Items | Factor1 | Factor2 | Factor3 | Factor4 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Functional oral health literacy | |||||
| F8 | If you take the first capsule at 2 P.M., when should you take the next one? By prescription, take one capsule three times (every 8 h) a day | 0.657 | 0.031 | − 0.067 | − 0.049 |
| F9 | If your symptoms are gone by the 4th day of taking the medication, should you stop taking the medication? | 0.626 | − 0.010 | 0.134 | − 0.069 |
| F11 | If you use sodium mouth rinse at 12 A.M., when can you eat or drink? | 0.608 | − 0.008 | − 0.076 | 0.018 |
| F12 | If your tooth was extracted at 8 A.M., when should you take the gauze out of your mouth? | 0.537 | 0.003 | − 0.008 | − 0.036 |
| F2 | Which is the correct name for the 32 teeth that each person has? | 0.522 | 0.229 | 0.150 | 0.068 |
| F13 | If your tooth was extracted at 8 A.M., can you eat hot food at 2 P.M.? | 0.519 | 0.041 | 0.036 | − 0.061 |
| F6 | What is the meaning of “I exonerate my dentist from unintentional complications of treatment” in your opinion? | 0.455 | 0.223 | 0.008 | 0.086 |
| F1 | What kind of toothpaste can you use to prevent tooth decay? | 0.424 | 0.194 | 0.212 | 0.236 |
| F5 | Which of the following is the best way to remove stain and calculus from teeth? | 0.419 | 0.240 | 0.130 | 0.294 |
| F7 | What is the meaning of “I have a history of allergy to some drugs” in your opinion? | 0.413 | − 0.040 | − 0.065 | 0.163 |
| Oral health knowledge | |||||
| K3 | Which of the following are detrimental factors to oral health? | 0.087 | 0.738 | − 0.094 | 0.061 |
| K5 | Which of the following are the symptoms and manifestations of periodontal disease? | 0.079 | 0.684 | 0.079 | − 0.050 |
| K1 | Which of the following are signs of poor oral health? | 0.267 | 0.675 | − 0.140 | 0.084 |
| K2 | Which of the following behaviors are good for oral health? | 0.258 | 0.652 | − 0.023 | 0.089 |
| K4 | Which of the following health problems are associated with oral health? | − 0.040 | 0.448 | 0.169 | − 0.031 |
| Oral health skill | |||||
| S2 | How long and what strength when you brush your teeth? | 0.170 | − 0.030 | 0.600 | − 0.033 |
| S3 | How do you use dental floss? | 0.215 | 0.113 | 0.584 | 0.040 |
| S4 | Do you use interdental brush every day? | 0.017 | − 0.164 | 0.528 | − 0.037 |
| P4 | Do you floss every day? | − 0.103 | 0.205 | 0.485 | 0.015 |
| P6 | How often do you usually go to the hospital to have your teeth cleaned? | 0.037 | − 0.067 | 0.472 | 0.056 |
| S1 | What kind of toothbrush would you choose to use? | 0.308 | 0.061 | 0.472 | 0.189 |
| P3 | Do you gargle after each meal? | − 0.184 | 0.118 | 0.447 | 0.032 |
| P5 | How often do you change your toothbrush? | − 0.095 | 0.158 | 0.433 | 0.127 |
| P7 | If you have any of the following situations, would you go to the hospital for treatment? | − 0.083 | 0.598 | 0.222 | 0.071 |
| Oral health belief | |||||
| B4 | Do you think oral diseases can be prevented? | 0.245 | 0.176 | 0.076 | 0.663 |
| B5 | Do you think you should go to the hospital if you have oral problems? | 0.192 | 0.075 | 0.046 | 0.625 |
| B1 | Do you think oral health is important? | − 0.137 | − 0.024 | − 0.057 | 0.589 |
| B6 | Do you think it is necessary to improve oral health knowledge by attending lectures and reading books? | − 0.002 | 0.014 | 0.101 | 0.508 |
| B2 | Do you think it is important to keep your mouth clean and hygienic? | − 0.065 | − 0.178 | − 0.060 | 0.438 |
| B3 | Do you think it is inevitable for you to lose teeth when you are old? | 0.042 | 0.155 | 0.180 | 0.425 |
F Functional oral health literacy, K knowledge, S skill, P practice, B belief
Item number: 30