Association Between Oral Health Literacy and Oral Health Status in Pregnant Women, Nhongkhai Province

Abstract

Oral health problems are one of the most important problems for pregnant women. Because during pregnancy there are hormonal changes in the body, Inappropriate oral health care behaviors cause oral health problems. This cross-sectional analytical research aimed to study the relationship between oral health literacy and oral health status of pregnant women, Nong Khai Province. The population was pregnant women in the obstetrics and gynecology department of a public hospital in Nong Khai Province, with a sample size of 503, using multistage random sampling. Data were collected using a general information questionnaire and the oral examination record of pregnant women data were analyzed by descriptive statistics and multiple logistic regression statistics. The result showed that percentage of pregnant women with poor oral health is 86.48 (438/503 people). Factors associated with poor oral health status were: Education level (OR adj 41.99, 95% CI: 13.74 – 128.36,p-value=<0.001), Income which below 6,000 baht per month group (OR adj 20.88, 95% CI:2.19-199.00, p-value=0.002), Dental health cognitive skills (OR adj 5.71, 95% CI:1.45 – 22.54, p-value=0.012), Dental health communication skills (OR adj 5.25, 95% CI:1.78 – 15.46, p-value=0.003), Dental health decision-making skills (OR adj 14.70, 95% CI: 3.48 – 62.09, p-value=<0.001). Summary of results and recommendations from this study Therefore, educational, Monthly income, Dental health cognitive skills, Dental health communication skills and Dental health decision-making skills used in planning and designing activities in Promoting and developing dental public health work for pregnant women