Exploring Migrant Mothers' Utilisation of Oral Health-Related Information: A Qualitative Interview Study in the Swedish Context.

Abstract

Objective: To explore, as a part of oral health literacy conceptual content, how migrant mothers utilise oral health-related information to maintain and promote oral health in their children.

Materials and methods: In-depth interviews were conducted with seven migrant mothers of children up to 10 years old resettled in Kalmar County, Sweden. The mothers had entered Sweden from 2015 onwards, and their native language was Somalian, Dari or Arabic. The participants were encouraged to describe their experiences seeking oral health information and oral health in general and dental health services. The interviews were analysed by qualitative content analysis with coding in categories, followed by formulating a main category.

Results: The findings revealed a main category-combining different ways of information utilisation. The main category captures the essence of the migrant mothers' various ways of using oral health-related information in the Swedish context to maintain and promote oral health in their children. The main category draws upon four sub-categories that emerged from the analysis: cognitive processing, decision-making competencies, adapting to social norms and practical application.

Conclusions: The results provide an important insight into migrant mothers' approach to utilisation of oral health-related information. This approach distinguished being rational and making logical connections, believing in their capacity to know what is right for their children and acting based on these beliefs, as well as adapting to prevailing social norms and applying information in specific use. This knowledge can be used to support parental oral health actions and conduct further research in this area.