Evaluation of Knowledge and Practice Behaviours of a Group of Iranian Obstetricians, General Practitioners, and Midwives, Regarding Periodontal Disease and its Effect on the Pregnancy Outcome

Abstract

BackgroundPeriodontal disease is considered as a risk factor for poor pregnancy outcomes, including preterm birth and low birth weight. Only few studies have assessed the knowledge and practice behaviours of healthcare providers, concerning oral health during pregnancy, periodontal diseases and their role in adverse pregnancy outcomes. The present study aimed to compare the knowledge and practice behaviours of a group of Iranian obstetricians, general practitioners, and midwives about periodontal disease.Design and methodsA cross-sectional study was conducted using a self-administered, structured questionnaire that was previously used in North Carolina. The questionnaire was translated into Persian language and was randomly distributed among 200 obstetricians, general practitioners, and midwives participating in an international congress. Data were analysed by Chi-square and spearman correlation tests using SPSS statistical software (version PASW 18).ResultsA total of 150 completed the questionnaires, achieving a response rate of 75%. Totally, the knowledge of the obstetricians was more accurate compared to the two other groups and the midwives were the worst. More experienced general practitioners (P=0.002) and obstetricians (P=0.049) did less dental examinations for their patients during their first visit or periodically. More experienced obstetricians also referred their patients for dental examinations during pregnancy less than their less experienced colleagues (P<0.001).ConclusionsAlthough the participants had some knowledge about periodontal disease and its association with adverse pregnancy outcomes, there is much space for improvements. The participants’ attitude and knowledge were consistent.Significance for public healthPreterm labour and low birth weight are considered to be one of the greatest problems in obstetrical medicine and are one of the most prevalent risk factors for death during the neonatal period. On the other hand, periodontal diseases are considered as important factors affecting pregnant women and their new-born children. Therefore it seems quite important to find out whether the healthcare providers who are most visited by pregnant women are aware of the periodontal disease and its relationship with poor pregnancy outcomes. The present study aimed to assess and compare the knowledge and beliefs of a group of Iranian obstetricians, general practitioners, and midwives regarding periodontal disease, and to assess whether their practice behaviours reflected their beliefs. The authors hope that publication of this paper would provide an evidence to plan for these health professionals’ education on the importance of pregnant women’s oral health promotion.

Evaluation of Dentists' and Gynecologists' Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice Regarding Oral and Dental Care during Pregnancy in Qom, Iran, in 2017

“…In the same line, the results of a study performed by Golkari et al indicated that gynecologists obtained higher scores regarding knowledge, compared to midwives and general physicians, and due to improper education, midwives had an insufficient level of knowledge (21). The results of the mentioned study were not consistent with those of the present study, and the participants in the current study obtained higher levels of knowledge.…”

Midwives’ perspectives of their ability to promote the oral health of pregnant women in Victoria, Australia

“…This confirmed similar findings of preliminary research conducted in NSW [ 39 ]. The knowledge deficits of nurses and midwives do not appear to be unique to Australian education programs and have been reported internationally for example in Norway, North Carolina and Iran [ 47 , 51 , 52 ]. Victorian study participants were very receptive to the MIOH program and discussed the immense gains in knowledge of the implications of poor oral health for pregnant women that they received from participating in the education program.…”

Kesehatan Gigi Mulut dan Pemanfaatan Pelayanan Kesehatan Gigi Mulut pada Ibu Hamil (Studi Pendahuluan di Wilayah Puskesmas Serpong, Tangerang Selatan)

“…Bidan dan dokter spesialis kandungan sebagai penyedia pelayanan kesehatan yang paling banyak dikunjungi oleh ibu hamil dapat membantu meningkatkan angka pemanfaatan pelayanan kesehatan gigi mulut selama kehamilan. 12 Penting untuk penyedia layanan kesehatan ini menyadari risiko penyakit periodontal dan hubungannya dengan hasil kehamilan yang buruk. 12 Hasil Analisis Bivariat menunjukkan bahwa terdapat hubungan yang bermakna antara keluhan atau masalah kesehatan gigi mulut ibu hamil dengan pengetahuan kesehatan gigi mulut ibu hamil di wilayah kerja Puskesmas Serpong.…”

“…12 Penting untuk penyedia layanan kesehatan ini menyadari risiko penyakit periodontal dan hubungannya dengan hasil kehamilan yang buruk. 12 Hasil Analisis Bivariat menunjukkan bahwa terdapat hubungan yang bermakna antara keluhan atau masalah kesehatan gigi mulut ibu hamil dengan pengetahuan kesehatan gigi mulut ibu hamil di wilayah kerja Puskesmas Serpong. Sebuah korelasi positif juga ditemukan pada penelitian di Polandia dimana Ibu hamil dengan pengetahuan kesehatan gigi mulut yang memadai, tidak memiliki masalah atau keluhan mengenai kesehatan gigi mulut mereka.…”

“…5 Profesi kesehatan gigi tidak bisa bekerja sendiri dalam peningkatan kesehatan gigi mulut ibu hamil, diperlukan kerjasama dari petugas kesehatan lain seperti bidan maupun dokter spesialis kandungan untuk merekomendasikan pemeriksaan kesehatan gigi mulut saat wanita merencanakan kehamilannya atau jika seorang wanita hamil belum menerima perawatan gigi, profesional perawatan kesehatan harus merekomendasikan mengunjungi dokter gigi saat trimester pertama kehamilan untuk penilaian masalah kesehatan mulut, konseling dan pencegahan. 12,18…”