Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40936806›Full record

ArticleFrontiers in public health2025

Harnessing technology to enhance oral health literacy among Afghan women: an interprofessional community-engaged initiative.

Moshtagh R Farokhi, Andrew E Muck, Hamsini Nathan, James Yan, Alvin Estacio, Ruoxuan Su, Melanie Stone, Nandini Mandlik, Heidi Worabo

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Frontiers in public health, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
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0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

9 authors.

Moshtagh R Farokhi *Department of Comprehensive Dentistry, San Antonio Refugee Health Clinic, School of Dentistry, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, United States.
Andrew E Muck *Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, United States.
Hamsini NathanSchool of Dentistry, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, United States.
James YanJoe R. & Teresa Lozano Long School of Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, United States.
Alvin EstacioSouth Central AHEC (Area Health Education Center), University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, United States.
Ruoxuan SuJoe R. & Teresa Lozano Long School of Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, United States.
Melanie StoneDepartment of Family & Community Medicine, Joe R. & Teresa Lozano Long School of Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, United States.
Nandini MandlikDepartment of Pediatrics, Joe R. & Teresa Lozano Long School of Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, United States.
Heidi WoraboOffice for Faculty Excellence, School of Nursing, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, United States.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Introduction: Ongoing socio-political instability has resulted in a growing influx of Afghan women with limited literacy skills resettling in the United States (U.S.). These women face considerable barriers in accessing oral and general healthcare services, exacerbated by limited literacy. This study aimed to explore Afghan women's challenges in accessing healthcare services and develop a technology-enabled intervention to enhance their health. Methods: An interprofessional (IP) team of researchers collaborated with community advocates and leaders to gather participants' insights about preventive health. Participants identified Results: Forty-three Afghan women aged 19 to 57 participated in the study. Demographic data revealed that 58% identified Pashto as their primary language, 46% had received little to no formal education, and 77% were homemakers. Key barriers to healthcare access included financial constraints (91%), limited English proficiency (70%), low literacy levels (63%), and transportation challenges (56.3%). Post-intervention data revealed statistically significant improvements in participants' oral hygiene and dietary knowledge ( Conclusion: This study supports the effectiveness of a culturally responsive, technology-facilitated oral health intervention in enhancing self-care behaviors among Afghan refugee women. The findings suggest that healthcare providers should adopt patient-centered, community-engaged approaches to advance health outcomes. Technology-based interventions can effectively address constraints in health literacy.

Indexed as

Health LiteracyOral HealthAdultAfghanistanFemaleHealth Services AccessibilityHumansMiddle AgedYoung Adultcultural practiceshealth communicationhealth literacyrefugee healthstakeholder participation

Identifiers

PMID40936806
PMCPMC12421916

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.