Yuanita Lely Rachmawati, Dyah Nawang Palupi Pratamawari, Trining Widodorini, Merlya, Tuti Ningseh Mohd Dom
Indonesia has a significant population of migrant workers in Malaysia, many of whom face health challenges. Yet, few studies have addressed the oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) of this population. This study aims to investigate the relationship between sociodemographic factors, oral health knowledge, attitudes, behaviors, and OHRQoL among Indonesian migrant workers (IMWs) in Kuala Lumpur. A cross-sectional study was conducted from August to September 2024. Involving 164 IMWs Participants were selected using convenience sampling based on criteria such as working in the domestic sector for at least one year, and being 18 years or older. Data were collected through a questionnaire assessing sociodemographics, oral health knowledge, attitudes, behaviors, and OHRQoL using the OHIP-14 (Oral Health Impact Profile-14). The questionnaire was distributed via Google Forms and in paper-based formats. Statistical analysis included Chi-Square tests and logistic regression to examine associations between variables and OHRQoL. Of the respondents, 57.9% reported low OHIP scores. Older age > (> 47 years), lower educational levels, and a greater number of family dependents were associated with poorer OHRQoL (higher OHIP scores). Conversely, respondents with good oral health knowledge had significantly better OHRQoL (higher OHIP scores), while those experiencing oral health problems reported poorer OHRQoL. The majority of IMWs in this study had low OHRQoL. Key factors influencing this were age, educational level, number of family dependents, oral health knowledge and the presence of oral health problems. Improving oral health knowledge and addressing these factors through targeted interventions could significantly enhance the OHRQoL of this population © 2026 Malaysian Public Health Physicians Association. All rights reserved.
Department of Community and Preventive Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, Universitas Brawijaya, Malang, Indonesia; Department of Family Oral Health, Faculty of Dentistry, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
