Predictors of Oral Health Care in Pregnant Women Based on Health Belief Model

Respecting oral health behavior in high risk pregnant women is very important for their health and the infant’s health. Health belief model is one of the psychological models that describe health behaviors by focusing on the beliefs and attitudes of the individuals. The aim of this study was to determine the predictors of oral health care in pregnant women based on health belief model in Arak، Iran. 340 pregnant women were selected with random sampling method from health centers in Arak، Iran. The health belief model scale (susceptibility، severity، threat، benefit، barriers، perceived self-efficacy and manuals) as well as their performance of the oral health care behaviors was assessed through interview and observation. Among the variables of health belief model، self-efficacy and perceived barriers were the most predicting factor of oral health behavior in pregnant women. The mean performance of women on oral health care was 43. 1 ± 9. 7. In this study، between performance and perceived susceptibility (r = 0. 44)، perceived severity (r = 0. 51) and self-efficacy (r = 0. 61)، a positive correlation was observed (P < 0. 05). However، between the perceived barriers of oral health care and mother’s behavior an inverse relationship was observed (r = -0. 65). The above variables expressed 46. 8% of the variance in oral health care behaviors. The present study showed the performance of health belief model in predicting the oral health care decisions for pregnant women. Therefore، this model can be used as a framework for designing and implementing educational interventions in order to reduce dental decay، and can help maintaining the health of mothers and infants during pregnancy.