Relationship Between the Oral Hygiene Index (OHI-S) and Demographic Characteristics of Pregnant Women Referred to Health Centers in Zahedan, 2016

Information about the oral hygiene of pregnant women and related factors is necessary for the oral health promotion programs. To our knowledge, there were no data regarding the oral hygiene of pregnant women in Zahedan. The present study was aimed to evaluate the oral hygiene status in a sample of pregnant Iranian women (in Zahedan) by measuring the OHI-S and its relationship with demographic variables. In this cross sectional analytical study, coordination with health centers in Zahedan was done and then 150 pregnant women examined after completing an informed consent form. Characteristics of pregnant women were recorded in the demographic part of the form, to evaluate the oral hygiene status of pregnant women, OHI-S was measured. Descriptive statistics and chi-square test (SPSS V. 22 software) were used to evaluate the oral hygiene of pregnant women and its relationship with demographic characteristics. The results showed that the oral hygiene index (OHI-S) of 36.7% pregnant women was poor, 42% moderate and 21.3% was at a good level. The index was statistically related to some socio-demographic characteristics of pregnant women such as education, parity (number of children) and occupation (P < 0.05). There was not a significant relationship between OHI-S and the age of mothers. The results of the present study showed that despite pregnant women being referred to the health centers of Zahedan and registered for health visits, OHI-S of most women was not good. Also, the study revealed a relationship between demographic factors such as occupation, education, parity and oral hygiene. In addition, the study revealed an association between demographic factors such as occupation, education, parity and oral hygiene.