Perception and Oral Health Behaviors of Pregnant Women at Thatum Hoapital, Surin Province

Abstract

Background: Oral health problem is one of major health problem in pregnant women. Gingivitis is the most common during pregnancy. Literature review revealed the relationship between oral health problems and preterm labor with low birth weight according to periodontal infection. Oral health problems are related to health behavior. Thus obtaining information about perception and behaviors of pregnant women in oral care will benefit for strategic planning and appropriate oral health care promotion activities.
Objective: To assess the knowledge, perception of oral health care, oral self-care behaviors, oral health condition and relationship among these factors in pregnant women at antenatal care clinic, Thatum hospital.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was done by oralexamination and interview with the questionnaire about knowledge, oral self-care perception and behaviors of 197 pregnant women at antenatal care clinic of Thatum hospital, Surin province during February 1st - 15th February 2011.
Results: Pregnant women who had knowledge in low level were 67.0% in which needed to be improved. Perceptions to risk and severity in good level were only 2.0% and 5.1% respectively. Perception to benefit of oral health care in good level was 14.2%. Oral self-care behavior in good level was found only 2.5%. Result of oral examination found that 73.1% had dental caries with an average of decay teeth was 2.97 teeth per person. Gingivitis was found 96.4% and 32.5% had gingivitis 3-4 from 12 parts. Pregnant women had good perception to benefit of oral self-care and oral health care were the better oral health behaviors, p-value = 0.020 and 0.048 respectively. Additionally pregnant women with poor oral care behaviors was a significantly increased state of gingivitis(p- value = 0.031).
Conclusions: Knowledge promotion in pregnant women and perception to oral health care during antenatal care will improve self-care behaviors and dental health condition.