Knowledge, attitude and practice of oral healthcare among pregnant women in Assiut, Egypt

Abstract

Background: Pregnancy is an important time in a woman's life with many complex physiological changes that may occur. These changes may negatively affect their oral health. The study aimed to assess oral health knowledge, attitude and reported practices among pregnant women in Assiut Governorate.Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study design was used. A structured interview questionnaire was used; included two tools: Tool (I); part (1) personal data, part (2): assessment of knowledge about oral health, part (3): reported practices of oral health and tool (II): included pregnant women attitude toward oral health.Results: the study revealed that: 79.7% of the interviewed women were aged ≤30 years, 82.5% of them were from rural area. Illiterate women represented 33.2% of the studied group. 85.5% of the pregnant women were housewives. Positive attitude toward oral hygiene was significantly higher among urban, educated, working and primigravidae (p=0.007, 0.03, <0.0001 and 0.04 respectively). Practices of daily cleaning of the teeth was higher among urban than rural residents (79.7% versus 46.8% respectively), university educated (89.3%) than other groups, and working women than housewives (84.9% versus 47.1%)with statistical significant difference while neither age nor number of pregnancies affected daily teeth cleaning.Conclusions: Being highly educated, working and of urban residence positively affected both the oral hygiene attitude and practices among interviewed pregnant women.

Correlation of knowledge and attitude on the practice of pregnant women’s oral health

“…15 This is following several studies that conclude that good practice does not always follow good knowledge, but several factors influence education level, work, and resi-dence. 16,17,18 The Community Health Centre (Puskesmas) is a first-level health service facility that prioritises promotional and preventive efforts. 19 Promotional efforts of Sukajadi Community Health Centre, including several programs, including Integrated Health Service (Posyandu), School Dental Care (UKGS), and Village Midwife Clinic (Polindes).…”

A Cross-Sectional Study on Knowledge of Breastfeeding and Knowledge and Practice of Personal Hygiene and Sanitation among Antenatal Mothers in a Tertiary Hospital of Kolkata, West Bengal

“…They observed that 85.9% used a toothbrush to clean their teeth. 8 In the present study, it was observed that 97.6% of the interviewed antenatal mothers used a toothbrush and 41.8% answered that teeth should be daily cleaned to prevent food from getting stuck in the teeth; 15.3% believed that gum diseases can be avoided by regular brushing of teeth and 40% brushed their teeth daily to avoid bad breath while 2.9% did not about the importance of regular brushing of teeth.…”

“…Hormonal changes during pregnancy along with neglected oral hygiene often lead to gingivitis and periodontitis in the antenatal mothers. 8 The physiological increase in plasma volume results in urine concentration and about 70 % of pregnant women develop glycosurea which facilitates bacterial growth in urine. Thus genital hygiene during pregnancy is to be stressed as pregnancy enhances the progression from asymptomatic to symptomatic bacteriuria which may lead to pyelonephritis and obstetric outcomes like prematurity, low birth weight and increased neonatal mortality.…”

Self-perception on oral health and related behaviours among antenatal mothers attending a public antenatal clinic – Kerala

“…Other reasons for the low utilization could be lack of emphasis from their antenatal care providers, fear that the treatment can be harmful to the fetus and financial burden. [ 22 ]…”