Maternal knowledge and attitude about the relationship of periodontitis and its adverse obstetric outcomes in India

Abstract

Background: Pregnancy is not a disease, but a normal physiological process; still it is associated with certain risk to the health and survival of both the mother and the child. Oral health is an essential component of the overall health status of a pregnant woman. Aim: This study aims to assess the knowledge and attitude about the association between periodontitis and its adverse obstetric outcomes among pregnant women in Modinagar, North India. Materials and Methods: A hospital-based study was conducted, which comprised of pregnant women visiting for Antenatal checkup at a public health care (Community Health Care) system in Modinagar, a North Indian city. A self-administered validated questionnaire in local language (Hindi) was used. This 30-item closed ended questionnaire consisted of different domains of oral hygiene practices, importance of periodontitis obstetric outcomes and demographic information. A 5 – point Likert scale was used to assess the attitudes of pregnant women. Statistical analysis was carried out using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) 21.0 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). Mean, Standard deviation, and Independent t-test were used to compare the knowledge and attitude about the association of maternal periodontitis and its adverse obstetric outcomes between the two groups of women: Prima gravida and Multi gravida. P ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Two hundred pregnant women participated in the study (50% each of Prima gravida and Multi gravida). The mean age of participants was found to be 32.88 ± 0.86 years. Most of the study population had poor knowledge (33%) and attitude (18.4%) about the association between maternal periodontitis and its adverse obstetric outcomes. For knowledge, a mean difference of 0.23 (P ≤ 0.05) between the two groups, which was found to be significant regarding whether visiting a dentist during pregnancy is necessary. First time pregnant (Prima gravida) has less knowledge compared with Multi gravida women regarding poor oral health which can lead to any complications during pregnancy. Conclusions: There is a knowledge deficit about pregnancy-induced periodontitis symptoms, prevention of complications and about the impact of obstetric outcomes among the mothers. Health-care providers should implement the focused health education programs during antenatal visit.

Keywords

• attitude
• knowledge
• oral health
• periodontitis
• pregnancy