Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1
Ph.D Student of Reproductive Health, Instructor of Midwifery, Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Gonabad University of Medical Sciences, Gonabad, Iran.
2
M.Sc. of Maternal and Child Health, Health Center No 3, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
3
Dentist, Health Center No 3, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
4
M.Sc. of Community Health Nursing, Instructor of Nursing, Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Lorestan University of Medical Sciences, Khorram abad, Iran.
5
M.Sc. of Educational Administration, Instructor of Nursing, Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Gonabad University of Medical Sciences, Gonabad, Iran.
Abstract
Introduction: This study was aimed to evaluate the index DMFT (number of decayed, missing and filled teeth) in pregnant women and its relationship their knowledge, beliefs and health behaviors in the field of oral care.
Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed on 142 pregnant women who were admitted to the nine regional health centers, Khaje-Rabi regional health center of Mashhad in 2009 by random sampling. After completing the profile form, assessing knowledge, beliefs and health behaviors in the field of oral health, they were examined by dentist in terms of DMFT index. Analysis of collected data was done by SPSS 16 and statistical tests such as frequency distribution, mean, Pearson, ANOVA and T student tests.
Results: Mean and standard deviation of DMFT index in pregnant women were 10.29±4.92. 3.5% of pregnant women had good knowledge, 68.3% with positive attitude and 19% had favorable attitudes in terms of oral and dental health. In this study, the DMFT index showed no significant difference on various levels of knowledge of pregnant women in terms oral and dental health. Average DMFT index was lower in the group having positive attitudes (beliefs) toward oral and dental health (p=0.013), and there was a significant inverse statistical relationship between DMFT index and health behaviors of pregnant women (p=0.001).
Conclusion: DMFT index was relatively high, level of knowledge and health behaviors and correlation among DMFT index, beliefs and health behaviors of pregnant women were in low level.
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