TY - JOUR AU - Gupta, Neha AU - Chhetry, Manisha PY - 2019/06/30 Y2 - 2024/03/29 TI - Knowledge and Practices of Pregnant Women regarding Oral Health in A Tertiary Care Hospital in Nepal JF - Journal of Nepal Medical Association JA - J Nepal Med Assoc VL - 57 IS - 217 SE - Original Article DO - 10.31729/jnma.4420 UR - https://www.jnma.com.np/jnma/index.php/jnma/article/view/4420 SP - AB - <p><strong>Introduction</strong>: Poor dental hygiene has been associated with various perinatal complications in studies<br>done worldwide but few studies in Nepal have explored the knowledge of pregnant ladies regarding<br>dental hygiene. The aim of the study was to know the knowledge and practices of pregnant women<br>regarding oral health in a tertiary care center in Nepal.</p><p><br><strong>Methods</strong>: A qualitative study was carried out in Nobel Medical College and Teaching Hospital from<br>January 15, 2018 to June 15, 2018 after approval from the Institutional Review Committee of Nobel<br>Medical College. Convenience sampling was done. Fifty pregnant women admitted in antenatal<br>ward were interviewed regarding their knowledge of dental care in pregnancy, the common dental<br>problems they faced and the treatment taken. A predesigned proforma was used and results were<br>analyzed using SPSS version 17.</p><p><br><strong>Results</strong>: Twenty two (44%) patients reported dental problems during pregnancy. Bleeding gums<br>was seen in 7 (14%) and toothache in 7 (14%) were commonly reported dental problems. Forty seven<br>(94%) patients acknowledged that routine dental care was needed for health, only 6 (12%) were<br>aware that poor dental health could affect baby weight. Oral health not seen as priority in 24 (48%)<br>was the main barrier to seeking dental care in pregnancy followed by costs of treatment in 18 (36%)<br>and safety concerns in pregnancy in 8 (16%) cases.</p><p><br><strong>Conclusions</strong>: Though dental problems were a common occurrence in pregnancy, utilization of<br>services was low for the same. The participants reported significant barriers to obtaining dental care<br>including lack of knowledge about the importance of maternal oral health and the treatment costs.</p> ER -