An Exploration of Oral Health Literacy Among Pregnant Women: A Case Study of a Community Hospital in Suphanburi Province

Abstract

This survey research aimed to examine the level of oral health literacy and oral health care practices among pregnant women attending antenatal care services at a community hospital in Suphanburi Province. The study applied Nutbeam’s (2008) health literacy framework. The sample consisted of 87 pregnant women selected through accidental sampling. The research instrument was a structured questionnaire consisting of three parts: personal information, oral health care behavior, and oral health literacy. The instrument's reliability was confirmed using Cronbach’s alpha coefficient (α = 0.76). Descriptive statistics were employed for data analysis.

The findings revealed that the majority of pregnant women had a good overall level of oral health literacy (Mean = 2.60, S.D. = 0.48). It consists of all five components—access to information, understanding, communication, decision-making, and application—which were rated at a good level. The highest mean score was in the component of understanding (Mean = 2.80, S.D. = 0.38), followed by decision-making (Mean = 2.67, S.D. = 0.51). The lowest mean score was in communication (Mean = 2.38, S.D. = 0.48). In terms of oral health care practices, most participants reported engaging in appropriate self-care behaviors, and 100% had accessed dental services. However, gaps remained in areas such as periodontal treatment, post-meal tooth brushing, and dietary behavior.

The study recommends promoting oral health literacy programs that emphasize communication, encourage the proactive engagement of dental professionals, and support oral health promotion to enhance opportunities for pregnant women to care for their oral health and that of their unborn child.