Conference abstract
Influence of pregnancy on oral cleaning behaviour: a cross sectional survey among antenatal clinic attendees in two sub-urban communities, SW Nigeria
Pan African Medical Journal - Conference Proceedings. 2022:13(9).02
Feb 2022.
doi: 10.11604/pamj-cp.2022.13.9.869
Archived on: 02 Feb 2022
Contact the corresponding author
Keywords: Oral health, pregnant women, sub-urban community, tooth brushing
Oral presentation
Influence of pregnancy on oral cleaning behaviour: a cross sectional survey among antenatal clinic attendees in two sub-urban communities, SW Nigeria
Frances Nwosisi1,&, Mary Ebelechukwu Osuh1, Omolola Titilayo Alade1
1Department of Periodontology and Community Dentistry, University College Hospital, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria
&Corresponding author
Introduction: the aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of pregnancy on the oral cleaning behaviour of pregnant women.
Methods: one hundred and fourteen women were interviewed using semi-structured questionnaires. The predictor variable was pregnancy and outcome variables were texture of toothbrush, frequency of brushing, brushing instrument, technique and duration. Data was analysed using SPSS (p < 0.05).
Results: the ages of the women ranged from 16 to 41 years (mean 27.8 ± 5.64 years). Only one woman (0.9%) reported that she did not brush at all prior to pregnancy but this increased to 6.1% of the women during pregnancy. About 2% less of the women reported using a hard textured toothbrush during pregnancy while 2% more reported the use of soft textured toothbrush. However, there was no change in brushing instrument used, technique and duration.
Conclusion: in this pilot study, pregnancy appeared to have a negative influence on the proportion of women who brushed their teeth. However, pregnancy did not appear to influence brushing technique, instrument and duration. Oral health should be integrated into antenatal care to enlighten pregnant women on the impact of oral hygiene on foetal health outcomes. This would serve to encourage them to continue brushing during pregnancy and thereby maintain good oral hygiene.
Influence of pregnancy on oral cleaning behaviour: a cross sectional survey among antenatal clinic attendees in two sub-urban communities, SW Nigeria
Frances Nwosisi1,&, Mary Ebelechukwu Osuh1, Omolola Titilayo Alade1
1Department of Periodontology and Community Dentistry, University College Hospital, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria
&Corresponding author
Introduction: the aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of pregnancy on the oral cleaning behaviour of pregnant women.
Methods: one hundred and fourteen women were interviewed using semi-structured questionnaires. The predictor variable was pregnancy and outcome variables were texture of toothbrush, frequency of brushing, brushing instrument, technique and duration. Data was analysed using SPSS (p < 0.05).
Results: the ages of the women ranged from 16 to 41 years (mean 27.8 ± 5.64 years). Only one woman (0.9%) reported that she did not brush at all prior to pregnancy but this increased to 6.1% of the women during pregnancy. About 2% less of the women reported using a hard textured toothbrush during pregnancy while 2% more reported the use of soft textured toothbrush. However, there was no change in brushing instrument used, technique and duration.
Conclusion: in this pilot study, pregnancy appeared to have a negative influence on the proportion of women who brushed their teeth. However, pregnancy did not appear to influence brushing technique, instrument and duration. Oral health should be integrated into antenatal care to enlighten pregnant women on the impact of oral hygiene on foetal health outcomes. This would serve to encourage them to continue brushing during pregnancy and thereby maintain good oral hygiene.
