ORAL HEALTH OF PREGNANT WOMEN;

Knowledge, attitude and practice at antenatal care clinic in Morogoro Municipal, Tanzania

Abstract

Objective: To assess level of knowledge, attitude and practice on oral health mong pregnant women attending antenatal
care clinic in Morogoro Municipal, Tanzania. Design: A cross sectional study. Setting: Morogoro Municipality, Morogoro Region,
Tanzania. Subjects and Methods: Pre tested questionnaires were administered randomly to 216 participants attending antenatal care
clinic seeking to find out quantitative data on their specific socio-demographic characteristics, oral health knowledge, attitude and
practice in 2012. A sample of 26 par ticipants was involved in focus group discussions (FGD's). Questionnaire data were analyzed by
Stata Version 12.1 programme. Chi-square test and Logistic regression models were used. A p-value <0.05 was considered significant.
FGD's qualitative data analysis was done manually using thematic framework analysis. Results: Majority (73%) of the participants had
adequate oral health knowledge. About 76% of the respondents agreed to the positive statements towards oral health. Focus Group
Discussions revealed negative attitude towards dental treatment during pregnancy. Adequate oral health practice was found in majority of
the participants (72%). Levels of education and marital status of the participants were found to be strongly associated with oral health
practice (p-value < 0.05). Conclusions: Majority of the participants had overall adequate knowledge, practice and positive attitude
towards oral health. However, unsatisfactory knowledge on possible connections between bleeding gums and pregnancy and negative
attitude towards dental visits were noted. Level of education was significantly associated with oral health practice and attitude. Dental
visits from the first stages of pregnancy should be part of antenatal care clinic in this community.