An effect of dental health blended-learning program on improving perceived benefits of oral health care among pregnant women in Regional Health Promotion Centers of Lower Northeastern Thailand

Abstract

          This study was a quasi-experimental research to investigate an effect of using the dental health blended-learning program to develop perceived benefits in oral health care for pregnant women who attended to the antenatal care service of Health Promotion Centers in Lower Northeastern Thailand. The sample consisted of 31 pregnant women, divided into experimental and control groups. The experimental group received dental infographic media through LINE application about oral health care. There was taken 12 weeks to complete the experiment. Data were collected by a questionnaire. Data analyses used descriptive statistics including frequency, percentage, mean, SD, and max-min value. The comparison of perceived benefits in oral health care was examined the effect size by risk ratio (RR) and 95% confidence interval.

          The study found that thereafter the experiment, the pregnant women had the most effect size of the perceived benefits toward a scaling and brushing in regularly for helping to treat gingivitis.In the experimental group was 2.81 times better than the control group with a statistical significance (RR=2.81, 95%CI=1.75, 4.53, p-value<0.001). There also found the smallesteffect size of the perceived benefits toward using a proper toothbrush in oral cavity for helpingto brush your teeth cleaner and more thoroughly. It was 1.50 times in the experimental group better than those in the control with a statistical significance (RR=1.50, 95%CI=1.08, 2.08, p-value<0.05). Present study showed that the use of dental infographic media via LINE application can be encouraged and increased pregnant women’s awareness of oral health care. It is an effective alternative tool for developing personal skills in pregnant women for their good oral health care.