A mixed methods study of the intersection of oral health, culture, and autism in African American families

项目概要/摘要 这个项目将解决整体健康的重要但往往被忽视的组成部分，口腔健康。 不幸的是，少数民族儿童以及患有口腔疾病的儿童的口腔保健差异仍然存在。 特殊的医疗保健需求，如自闭症谱系障碍（ASD）。几个已知的因素（即，家庭的，社会的， 和结构性）是黑人/非裔美国儿童口腔健康的障碍。虽然公共政策 尽管已经试图解决这些障碍，但差距依然存在。同样，许多残疾儿童，如 ASD患者在接受良好的口腔护理方面遇到重大障碍。沟通障碍， 感官敏感、不合作行为、限制性饮食习惯以及牙科恐惧和焦虑 减少口腔护理。因此，许多ASD患儿需要使用镇静剂或全身麻醉 进行常规牙科手术目前，还没有研究检查ASD，黑人/非洲人 美国文化和口腔健康实践。拟议项目将通过实现以下目标来弥补这一差距： 以下目标： 1.确定黑人/非裔美国人的口腔健康知识，态度和做法 患有和没有ASD的儿童的父母/照顾者。 2.深入了解影响口语表达的障碍、促进因素、家庭和文化因素 有ASD儿童的黑人/非洲裔美国家庭的健康实践。 3.确定患有和不患有自闭症的黑人/非裔美国儿童口腔保健的差距， 提出建议，以改善各级影响，以提高口腔健康。 研究参与者将是120（调查）和8 - 12（采访）黑人/非裔美国人的父母/照顾者， 4-14岁的儿童，有和没有ASD。黑人/非洲人存在的口腔健康差异 美国残疾儿童和非残疾儿童都应该得到更多的关注，因为口腔健康的重要性。 护理对整体健康、参与和功能的影响。 为了完成这些研究项目的目标，我将参加几个选定的培训活动， 将为我提供技能，工具和专业知识，进行转化和变革性的研究。的 以下是我的奖学金培训的短期目标：1）加深对多重 健康差距的基础; 2）在定性研究和社区基础研究方面获得经验和技能 参与式行动研究; 3）发展教学技能，撰写赠款，设计研究研究，数据 分析和传播成果，促进变革。

Project Summary/Abstract This project will address the important yet often neglected component of overall health, oral health. Unfortunately, oral health care disparities persist for children from ethnic minorities, as well as for children with special health care needs, like autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Several known factors (i.e., familial, social, and structural) serve as barriers to oral health for Black/African American children. Although public policies have attempted to address these obstacles, disparities persist. Similarly, many children with disabilities, such as ASD, encounter significant barriers to the receipt of sound oral care. Impairments in communication, sensory sensitivities, uncooperative behaviors, restrictive eating habits, and dental fear and anxiety contribute to diminished oral care. As a result, many children with ASD require the use of sedation or general anesthesia for routine dental procedures. Currently, no studies have examined the intersection of ASD, Black/African American culture, and oral health practices. The proposed project will address this gap by achieving the following set of aims: 1. Identify the oral health knowledge, attitudes, and practices of Black/African American parents/caregivers of children with and without ASD. 2. Develop a deeper understanding of the barriers, facilitators, familial and cultural factors that inform oral health practices of Black/African American families with children with ASD. 3. Identify gaps in oral health care for Black/African American children with and without Autism and propose recommendations for improvements across levels of influence to enhance oral health. Research participants will be 120 (survey) and 8 – 12 (interview) Black/African American parents/caregivers of children aged 4-14 years, with and without ASD. The oral health disparities that exist for Black/African American children with and without disabilities deserve a greater spotlight because of the importance of oral care to overall health, engagement, and function. In order to accomplish these research project aims, I will engage in several selected trainings activities, which will provide me with the skills, tools, and expertise to conduct translational and transformative research. The following are short-term goals for my fellowship training: 1) Develop a deeper understanding of the multiple underpinnings of health disparities; 2) Gain experience and skills in qualitative research and community-based participatory action research; and 3) Develop skills in teaching, grant-writing, designing research studies, data analysis, and disseminating results for transformative change.