PERCEIVED ORAL HEALTH NEEDS AND DENTAL CARE UTILIZATION AMONG PREGNANT WOMEN ATTENDING FAMILY HEALTH FACILITIES IN ALEXANDRIA

Khaled, Sherine T.; Saleh, Susan M.; Abdelaziz, Wafaa E.

doi:10.21608/adjalexu.2020.122844

PERCEIVED ORAL HEALTH NEEDS AND DENTAL CARE UTILIZATION AMONG PREGNANT WOMEN ATTENDING FAMILY HEALTH FACILITIES IN ALEXANDRIA

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ BDS, Faculty of Dentistry, Alexandria University.

² Professor of Dental Public Health, Pediatric Dentistry and Dental Public Health Department, Faculty of Dentistry, Alexandria University

10.21608/adjalexu.2020.122844

Abstract

Introduction: Pregnant women are usually subjected to various hormonal and vascular changes that make them vulnerable to poor oral health. Scientific evidence has shown an association between periodontal health during pregnancy and adverse outcomes of labor such as low birth weight (LBW) and premature births. Hence, assessment of the self-perceived oral health status and needs along with the pattern of utilization of dental care during pregnancy is important.
Objectives: The aim was to assess the self-perceived oral health status and needs along with rate of dental care service utilization among pregnant women attending the family health facilities, in Alexandria Governorate.
Materials and methods: a cross-sectional analytical survey using a structured interview questionnaire was conducted on a simple random sample of 381 pregnant women attending family health care facilities in Alexandria governorate. Data was collected by a single, trained, examiner who interviewed the participants. A total of 3 facilities in each district were visited, till the required sample size was obtained (a total of 48 women from each district). The collected data were analyzed using IBM SPSS software package version 20.0.
Results:More than half of the participants (66.93%) perceived their oral health status as excellent. Individual self-perception was affected by factors mainly; age, health status and number of children. The rate of dental service utilization was 56.96%, with the main influencing factors; age, pregnancy trimester, overall health status and prenatal care payment system, knowledge score and behavior score.
Conclusions: Pregnant women lack sufficient knowledge about the importance of oral health and how it may affect their babies. Rate of dental service utilization is influenced by the lack of perceived need.

Keywords

Main Subjects

Dental public health

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