Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Oral Health and Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes among Rural and Urban Pregnant Women of Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh, India

• Published in: Journal of interdisciplinary dentistry 2018-01, Vol.8 (1)
• Main Authors: Chaitra, T, Wagh, Snehal, Sultan, Saima, Chaudhary, Seema, Manuja, Naveen, Sinha, Ashish
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Attitudes; Birth weight; Dental health; Dental plaque; Dentistry; Disease prevention; Health risk assessment; Knowledge; Low birth weight; Microorganisms; Monitoring systems; Oral hygiene; Population; Pregnancy; Pregnancy complications; Premature birth; Questionnaires; Research centers; Rural areas; Statistics; Studies; Systemic diseases; Urban areas; Womens health
• ISSN: 2229-5194; 2231-2706
• DOI: 10.4103/jid.jid_56_17

Aim: This study aimed to compare and evaluate the knowledge, attitude, and practice of oral health and adverse pregnancy outcomes among rural and urban pregnant women of Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh, India. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at health-care centers, private and government hospitals, and institutions in Moradabad city (Uttar Pradesh, India). A structured questionnaire with a set of 18 questions for a sample of 515 was designed to evaluate the knowledge, attitude, and practice of pregnant women regarding oral hygiene and its adverse pregnancy outcomes [Appendix 1]. Data obtained from this questionnaire were analyzed using the SPSS statistical package. Statistical significance was measured using Chi-square test for qualitative variables at P < 0.05. Results: A majority of respondents (82.9%) of urban area were aware of dental plaque and gum diseases and of rural area only 17.1% were aware of the same (P < 0.005). Awareness of the connection between pregnancy and oral health was also seen highest among the urban participants (94.1%) whereas only 5.9% of rural participants were aware of the same. Alarming finding in this study was that none of the rural participants were aware that the mother's poor oral health can affect the unborn baby causing low birth weight of the baby. Adequate oral health practice was found in majority of the urban participants. Levels of education of the participants were found to be strongly associated with oral health practice. Conclusion: This study revealed that the knowledge of pregnant women of rural group about association of oral health and adverse pregnancy outcome was poor. The level of education and socioeconomic status was significantly associated with oral health attitude and practice. Dental health education in pregnancy can lead to improved oral health and hence improved pregnancy outcomes.