Effects of Oral and Dental Health Education Program on Knowledge, Attitude and Short-Time Practice of Pregnant Women (Mashhad-Iran)

Physiological changes during pregnancy make pregnant mothers highly prone to various periodontal diseases. These mothers may prevent the problems to a large extent just by adhering to principles of oral and dental health. The present study was aimed at evaluating the effects of an oral and dental health education program on the knowledge, attitude and performance of pregnant women.

In this field trial study, 142 pregnant woman receiving care from Khaje Rabi Regional Health Center in the city of Mashhad were chosen by random clustering sampling and randomly allocated into test and control groups. The test group had two educational sessions of 1 hour long per weeks during three weeks, focusing on generalities of oral and dental health and particularly on oral and dental health during pregnancy. Control group received no education. At the beginning, two questionnaires were completed for demographic data of the participants. Three forms were completed by all participants measuring knowledge, attitude and practice before, immediately after and two months after the education program by both groups. Analysis of data was done by SPSS software by frequency, descriptive, student t-test and paired t-test.

The two groups had no significant statistical difference in terms of knowledge, attitude and practice before the education program. Immediately after the education program the score of knowledge (13.8±2.53 vs 8.26±3.20, P<0.0001), attitude (40.27±5.31vs 36.30±4.59, P<0.0001) and practice (22.72±2.54 vs 18.60±2.60, P<0.0001) was significantly higher in test group. Also two months after education the score of knowledge (11.48±2.59 vs 7.92±2.61, P<0.0001), attitude (37.90±5.51vs 35.89±4.72, P=0.017) and practice (20.96±2.31 vs 19.52±3.59, P=0.005) was significantly higher in test group.

Results of the present study indicated that education programs were effective in promoting knowledge, making positive attitudes, and promoting practice of pregnant woman in terms of oral and dental health.