Year : 2018

Volume : Volume 8

Issue : Issue 3

Address for correspondence :
Dr. Srijna Malik.
srijnamalik88@gmail.com

Abstract

Aim: The aim of this study is to collect the baseline data to assess the Knowledge, Belief & Practices of expectant mothers regarding oral health and hygiene practices. Study Design: This was a cross- sectional questionnaire based survey among 100 expectant mothers in Bahadurgarh and Rohtak cities.  Material and methods: One hundred expectant mothers fulfilling the inclusion and exclusion criteria were randomly selected based on convenience method over a period of 1 month. The data were collected using a questionnaire addressing the various aspects of expectant mother’s knowledge about infant oral health and their own oral hygiene practices. The analysis was done using SPSS version 16.0.  Results: The overall score revealed that majority of the expectant mothers had fair knowledge and practice toward infant oral health and their own oral hygiene. Expectant mothers’ educational qualification, trimester, and the number of pregnancy had a significant role in their knowledge, attitude, and oral hygiene practices. Conclusion: The findings suggest that there should be implementation of educational programs to bring out the awareness about the importance of oral health among expectant mothers.

Keywords: Oral health, pregnancy, oral health promotion.