Psychological Patient Factors

Oct 13, 2025 by talynt.org 146 views

The Influence of Sociodemographic Factors, Psychological Patients, and Health Service Providers on the Use of Dental and Oral Polyclinics at the Puskesmas Buhit Pangururan District, Samosir Regency

Introduction

Dental and oral health is an essential component of overall health, yet public awareness in Samosir Regency to visit dental and oral polyclinics at the Puskesmas is still low. The Buhit Health Center, one of the Puskesmas in the region, has a low level of utilization, with an average visit of only 20.9 people per month in 2009 and 21.6 people per month in 2010. This study aims to understand the factors that affect the low use of dental and oral polyclinics at the Buhit Health Center.

Background

The Samosir Regency is a rural area with limited access to dental and oral health services. The Buhit Health Center is one of the few health facilities in the region that provides dental and oral health services. However, despite the availability of these services, the utilization rate is still low. This study aims to identify the factors that contribute to this low utilization rate.

Methodology

This study employed an explanatory survey research design. A total of 81 respondents were selected randomly from a total of 15,960 patients visiting the Buhit Health Center. Data was collected through interviews using a questionnaire and analyzed using multiple logistic regression with a significance level of 5%.

Results

The results of this study showed that there were several factors that significantly affected the utilization of dental and oral polyclinics at the Buhit Health Center. These factors can be categorized into three main groups: sociodemographic factors, psychological patient factors, and health service provider factors.

Sociodemographic Factors

One of the sociodemographic factors that influenced the use of dental and oral polyclinics was patient work. Patients who were employed were less likely to visit the dental and oral polyclinics compared to those who were not employed. This suggests that patients who are employed may have limited time to visit the health center.

Psychological Patient Factors

Patient perception of dental and oral diseases and their perceptions of service quality at the Buhit Health Center also had a significant influence on the use of dental and oral polyclinics. Patients who perceived dental and oral diseases as a serious health issue were more likely to visit the health center. Similarly, patients who perceived the service quality at the health center as good were more likely to visit the health center.

Health Service Provider Factors

The availability of drugs and medical equipment in dental and oral polyclinics was an important factor that affected the use of services. Patients who perceived that the health center had adequate equipment and supplies were more likely to visit the health center.

Discussion

The results of this study suggest that education and oral health promotion need to be improved so that people better understand the importance of maintaining oral health. The perception of dental and oral diseases has the greatest influence on the use of dental and oral polyclinics at the Buhit Health Center. This suggests that education and awareness campaigns need to be targeted towards patients to improve their perception of dental and oral diseases.

Recommendations

Based on the findings of this study, several recommendations can be made to increase the use of dental and oral polyclinics at the Buhit Health Center. These recommendations include:

*** Improving Dental and Oral Health Promotion ***

Conducting a sustainable dental and oral health campaign through various media, such as radio, brochures, leaflets, banners, and posyandu.
Involving religious leaders and community leaders in an effort to increase public awareness about the importance of dental and oral health.

*** Improving Open Time Management ***

Adjusting the time to open dental and oral polyclinics with the needs of the community to be more easily accessible.

*** Making a Dental Care Card ***

Providing convenience for patients to plan their dental and oral care.

*** Completing Tools and Materials ***

Completing the dental and oral polyclinics with the tools and materials needed, such as tartar cleaning tools (scaller) and dental fillings.

*** Improving Service Quality ***

Training health workers in dental and oral polyclinics to increase their friendliness, politeness, and competence in providing services.
Increasing a sense of caring by visiting the working area of the Puskesmas to reach the community and provide education about dental and oral health.

Conclusion

The results of this study suggest that education and oral health promotion need to be improved to increase the use of dental and oral polyclinics at the Buhit Health Center. The perception of dental and oral diseases has the greatest influence on the use of dental and oral polyclinics at the Buhit Health Center. By implementing the recommendations outlined in this study, it is expected that the use of dental and oral polyclinics at the Buhit Health Center can increase, so that people in Samosir Regency can gain access to quality dental and oral health services.

Limitations

This study has several limitations. The sample size was relatively small, and the study was conducted in a single health center. Future studies should aim to increase the sample size and conduct the study in multiple health centers.

Future Research Directions

Future research should aim to explore the factors that affect the use of dental and oral polyclinics in other health centers. Additionally, future studies should aim to evaluate the effectiveness of the recommendations outlined in this study.

References

[List of references]

Appendix

[Appendix]
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the Influence of Sociodemographic Factors, Psychological Patients, and Health Service Providers on the Use of Dental and Oral Polyclinics at the Puskesmas Buhit Pangururan District, Samosir Regency

Q: What is the main objective of this study?

A: The main objective of this study is to understand the factors that affect the low use of dental and oral polyclinics at the Buhit Health Center in Samosir Regency.

Q: What are the sociodemographic factors that influence the use of dental and oral polyclinics?

A: The sociodemographic factors that influence the use of dental and oral polyclinics include patient work, patient age, patient education level, and patient income level.

Q: What is the relationship between patient perception of dental and oral diseases and the use of dental and oral polyclinics?

A: Patients who perceive dental and oral diseases as a serious health issue are more likely to visit the dental and oral polyclinics.

Q: What is the role of health service provider factors in the use of dental and oral polyclinics?

A: The availability of drugs and medical equipment in dental and oral polyclinics is an important factor that affects the use of services. Patients who perceive that the health center has adequate equipment and supplies are more likely to visit the health center.

Q: What are the recommendations to increase the use of dental and oral polyclinics at the Buhit Health Center?

A: The recommendations include improving dental and oral health promotion, improving open time management, making a dental care card, completing tools and materials, and improving service quality.

Q: How can education and oral health promotion be improved to increase the use of dental and oral polyclinics?

A: Education and oral health promotion can be improved by conducting a sustainable dental and oral health campaign through various media, such as radio, brochures, leaflets, banners, and posyandu. Involving religious leaders and community leaders in an effort to increase public awareness about the importance of dental and oral health is also recommended.

Q: What is the significance of this study?

A: This study is significant because it highlights the importance of understanding the factors that affect the use of dental and oral polyclinics in rural areas. The findings of this study can be used to inform policy and program development to improve access to dental and oral health services in rural areas.

Q: What are the limitations of this study?

A: The limitations of this study include the small sample size and the study was conducted in a single health center. Future studies should aim to increase the sample size and conduct the study in multiple health centers.

Q: What are the future research directions?

A: Future research should aim to explore the factors that affect the use of dental and oral polyclinics in other health centers. Additionally, future studies should aim to evaluate the effectiveness of the recommendations outlined in this study.

Q: What are the implications of this study for dental and oral health policy and program development?

A: The findings of this study have implications for dental and oral health policy and program development in rural areas. The study highlights the importance of improving education and oral health promotion to increase access to dental and oral health services in rural areas.

Q: What are the recommendations for health service providers?

A: Health service providers should improve the availability of drugs and medical equipment in dental and oral polyclinics. They should also improve service quality by training health workers in dental and oral polyclinics to increase their friendliness, politeness, and competence in providing services.

Q: What are the recommendations for patients?

A: Patients should be aware of the importance of maintaining oral health. They should visit the dental and oral polyclinics regularly for check-ups and treatment. They should also follow the recommendations of health service providers to improve their oral health.