ORAL HYGIENE AMONG PREGNANT WOMEN

PRACTICES AND KNOWLEDGE

Abstract

Objective: To define the self-reported oral health knowledge, attitudes and oral
hygiene habits, among pregnant women getting antenatal care at Kulsoom Bai Valika Hospital
Karachi. Method and Material: A cross-sectional questionnaire-based survey was conducted
at the KVSS Site Hospital antenatal clinic during the period January - June 2013. The data was
analyzed using the SPSS for Windows (version 16.0; SPSS Inc. Chicago. IL) statistical software
package and was validated visually. Result: Most of the respondents revealed a reasonable
level of oral health knowledge and positive attitudes towards oral health. However, there were
gaps in the oral health knowledge of the women surveyed. The relationship between the level
of oral health knowledge and ethnicity (p=0.856), level of education (p=0.079), age category
(p= 0.166), and trimester of pregnancy (p=0.219) were not statistically significant. In addition,
the women’s knowledge and attitude towards oral health was not reflected in their oral hygiene
practices. Conclusions: There is a need to provide oral health education for pregnant women
during antenatal care in order to highlight the significance of good oral health in achieving good
health for both the mother and her baby.