Knowledge, Attitude and Practices of Oral Hygiene among Pregnant Women attending Antenatal Clinics in Nigeria: Evidence from Ogun State

Abstract

Introduction: Changes in oral cavity during pregnancy may result in oral problems including periodontal diseases. Poor oral hygiene has been shown to increase the risk of acquiring periodontal disease more in pregnant women in developing countries like Nigeria. This study examined the knowledge, attitude and practices of oral hygiene among pregnant women attending antenatal clinics in Ijebu North east, Ogun State.
Materials and Methods: Responses were obtained from 385 pregnant women attending six primary health care centers in Ijebu, North East LGA, Ogun State using convenience sampling. Data collected was subjected to appropriate statistical analysis using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS ver. 21). All analyses were done at P≤0.05.
Results: Findings from this study showed that majority (65%) of the respondents had low knowledge of oral hygiene. Some 56% of the respondents had positive attitude towards oral hygiene and 85% of the respondents had poor oral hygiene practices. There was an association between trimester and knowledge of pregnant women and a relationship between trimester and oral hygiene practices
of pregnant women.
Conclusion: Findings from the study showed that dissemination information on oral hygiene will help increase knowledge and enhance good practice and improve the positive attitude of pregnant women.

Keywords: Oral Hygiene, Knowledge, Attitude, Practices.