KNOWLEDGE OF WOMEN ABOUT CHILDREN'S ORODENTAL HEALTH IN THEIR FIRST PREGNANCY: A CROSS SECTIONAL STUDY

Abstract

Background: Oral health is one of the most critical factors affecting the general health of the community and families; in this regard, parents, especially mothers, can play a significant role in the oral and dental health of children. This study aimed to evaluate pregnant women's knowledge, about children's oral and dental health in their first pregnancy. Methods: This cross-sectional and descriptive/analytical study was conducted on 200 pregnant women in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy referred to obstetrics clinics and private offices in Isfahan-Iran. To assess mothers' knowledge about oral and dental health, a researcher-made questionnaire, including 24 questions, was used, which was evaluated and verified in terms of validity and reliability. The data were analyzed by SPSS 22 using Pearson's correlation coefficient and Spearman tests. The significance level was defined at P<0.05. Results: The results of this study showed that the knowledge of mothers on the oral health of the child was 8.66 +/- 4.53, so that their knowledge was moderate in 82 (41), poor in 109 (54.5), and high in 9 (4.5). In addition, the relationships between mother's age (r=0.288), maternal education (r=0.497), and family's economic status (r=0.182) with the mother's knowledge of oral health were significant (P<0.05). Conclusion: The pregnant mothers' level of knowledge about children's oral and dental health was low; therefore, it is necessary to hold workshops and provide useful information before or during pregnancy.