Refugees, facing forced displacement and often exposed to traumatic experiences, represent a vulnerable population with unique healthcare needs. Oral health is considered a prominent factor that contributes to quality of life. Therefore, this study aim at assessing the effect of message framing on enhancing oral health practices in a group of refugees in Alexandria, Egypt. A three-arm cluster randomized controlled clinical trial will compare a gain-framed mobile text messages group, a loss-framed mobile text messages group, and a control group. The primary outcome is the improvement in oral health practices measured by changes in dental plaque and secondary outcome is to assess change in oral health-related quality of life. In addition, oral health knowledge, attitudes, and practices of refugees will be assessed.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
QUADRUPLE
Enrollment
510
To assess the effect of message framing on enhancing oral health practices in a group of refugees
Caritas
Alexandria, Egypt
RECRUITINGOral health knowledge improvement
To assess change in level of oral health knowledge before and after program using a validated questionnaire
Time frame: Immediately after structured oral health session, 6 months and 1 year after baseline
Oral health practices improvement
Assess toothbrushing and flossing frequency before and after the education session and reminder mobile messages
Time frame: 6 months and 1 year after baseline
Oral hygiene status assesment
measure the change in plaque index scores among participants
Time frame: 6 months and 1 year after baseline
Gingival health assessment
measure the change in gingival index scores among participants
Time frame: 6 months and 1 year after baseline
Periodontal health status
measure the change in CPI index scores among participants
Time frame: 6 months and 1 year after baseline
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