Oral health in pregnancy: Self-reported impact of exposure to oral health information

Clement C Azodo, Vivian O Omuemu

Journal of Clinical Sciences 2017 14(3):119-125

Introduction: There is dearth of information on the impact of oral health information on knowledge and belief of oral health among pregnant women. The objective of the study was to determine the impact of oral health information on oral health knowledge and belief among Nigerian pregnant women. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional survey was conducted among pregnant women attending the antenatal clinic (ANC) of a large university teaching hospital in Benin City, Nigeria, using interviewer-administered questionnaire as data collection tool. Descriptive and regression statistics were performed on data collected using SPSS version 17.0. P <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: A total of 410 pregnant women with a mean age of 29.6 ± 5.3 years participated in this study. Of the participants, 94 (22.9%) exhibited adequate overall oral health knowledge. The significant determinants of oral health knowledge were ever received oral health information and receipt of oral health advice in pregnancy. About two-thirds (61.5%) of the participants held erroneous oral health believes. The erroneous oral health belief was significantly higher among the unmarried, multiparous, nonchristians, illiterate, and nonprofessional indigenous participants. Educational attainment emerged as the only significant predictor of good oral health belief. Conclusion: Data from this study revealed that exposure to oral health information exerted a significant positive impact on oral health knowledge but not on belief of the studied pregnant women. Exploration of the quality and mode of receipt of oral health information among pregnant women is recommended.

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