A storytelling intervention reduces childhood caries risk behaviors among American Indian and Alaska Native mothers in Northern California

Abstract

Objectives: To evaluate a storytelling intervention targeting the oral health beliefs, knowledge, and behaviors of AIAN pregnant women and mothers.

Methods: Fifty-three adult AIAN women from three tribal communities in Northern California participated. The intervention story delivered oral health messaging using a traditional storytelling format. The effect of the intervention on self-reported oral health behaviors, dental knowledge, and beliefs was assessed using a pretest-posttest design, with an additional six-month follow-up. Tests of repeated measures using Generalized Linear Models were conducted to assess changes in oral health knowledge, beliefs, and behaviors.

Results: Knowledge and beliefs significantly increased as a result of the intervention and persisted after six months. A consistent, significant increase in positive oral health behaviors from baseline to six-months was also observed.

Conclusions: The results of this intervention study suggest promise for traditional storytelling to increase oral health-related knowledge, beliefs, and behaviors among self-identified AIAN pregnant women and mothers.

Keywords: Alaska Native; American Indian; early childhood caries; oral health behaviors; oral health beliefs; oral health knowledge.