Exploring self-care needs of pregnant women with gingivitis: A qualitative study in Iran

Abstract

Background:Oral self-care behaviors are not satisfactory among pregnant women; incidence of gingivitis is high in them and training programs have slightly improved their gingivitis. This study was aimed to explore self-care needs of pregnant women suffering from gingival inflammation.Materials and Methods:This study was carried out in Sanandaj, west of Iran, in 2017. Twenty pregnant women with gingivitis were included in the study. Data were collected via semi-structured individual and group interviews and note-taking, and were analyzed by conventional content analysis. To confirm the accuracy and strength of the data, credibility, confirmability, and transferability components were taken into account.Results:The results of data analysis yielded six major categories, including “organizational support,” “dentist's professional competence,” “increasing perceived threat,” “increasing self-efficacy,” “increasing perceived benefits,” and “culture-making.” Increased self-efficacy was the most important concern of pregnant women.Conclusions:The findings showed that self-care behaviors to prevent gingivitis in pregnant women are influenced by various factors. It is essential to consider the cooperation of the media and organizations, support of society, and attention of families and authorities to oral health education and disease prevention among women.

Knowledge and Attitude of Midwifery Students on Oral Health Care

“…According to our results there is a significant relationship between attitude and willingness on providing oral health care for pregnant women. Pregnant women in a qualitative study in Iran also highlighted that positive attitude and friendly behavior of the dental health care providers influenced their oral health performance [49]. Literature shows that low attitudes and incorrect beliefs of midwives and nurses can act as a barrier to translating knowledge into practice [50,51].…”

“…In addition to administrative obstacles, there is also uncertainty to what extent students will be able to transfer the knowledge gained in educational programs to their practice. Other major limitation factors to consider are insufficient knowledge of pregnant women and midwives, high cost of dental treatments, time restrictions of both patient and providers, dentists’ reluctance in providing treatment to pregnant women, cultural beliefs in pregnant women on oral health and lack of interprofessional collaboration among providers [49,56]. In future we aim to conduct a qualitative study among midwives practicing in family planning sections within public health centers.…”

Women’s perception of barriers and facilitators of cervical cancer Pap smear screening: a qualitative study

“…It is the fourth most frequently diagnosed cancer among women of all ages worldwide,2 and the second leading cause of cancer-induced mortality among women at reproductive age 1. Interestingly, research evidence suggests that by 2030 cervical cancer will surpass other cancers and become the first leading cause of cancer-induced mortalities among women 3. As reported by the WHO, cervical cancer is also the second most common cancer in Asia 4…”

“…Cervical cancer is the fourth most prevalent malignancy in women in Iran,3 and its age-standardised mortality rate was 2.3 per 1 00 000 women in 2020 5. Additionally, the average age at diagnosis is almost ten years lower than the global average 3…”

“…Qualitative research methods provide researchers with the means to delve into questions of significance, find barriers and facilitators of change, and detect factors contributing to the success or failure of interventions 19. The majority of existing research on PS has been quantitative,17 20–22 with only a limited number of qualitative studies that used group interviews,3 12 23 interviews exclusively with women having the PS,3 individuals living with cervical cancer,24 and women residing in rural communities 25. These studies drew attention to some barriers to PS screening, including feelings of embarrassment, fear, high costs, false positives, cultural beliefs and limited knowledge.…”