Introduction: Oral hygiene during pregnancy is essential for the health of mother and fetus. This study was aimed to determine the perceived benefits based on the health belief model in oral health related behaviors.
Methods: This descriptive study was conducted on 220 pregnant women who were referred to health centers of Mashhad, Iran in 2012. A multi-stage sampling method (stratified and clustered) was used. Data collection tool was a questionnaire perceived benefits based on health belief model. Data were analyzed using SPSS software version 11.5 and statistical descriptive and analytical tests. P value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Results: Mean age of patients was 25.96±3.68 years with gestational age of 6-28 weeks. Mean of gestational age was 17.78±5.2 weeks. The degree of most patients (53.47%) was diploma, and 186 women (84.72%) had enough income. Their perceived benefits were moderate and their performance in oral care was poor. The main benefits cited by mothers were to stay away from adverse effects (50%), decrease additional costs (25%), reduce bad breath (%20) and less benefits was reduce tooth decay (5%). No significant relationship was between perceived benefits, education level and performance (p=0.2).
Conclusions: Pregnant women perception of oral hygiene benefits is moderate. Given to the low birth weight occurred 7 times more in women who had gum and tooth decay, the need for essential training programs in health centers seems necessary to improve health behaviors and periodontal status in pregnant women.