PREVALENCE OF PERIODONTAL DISEASE AMONG PREGNANT WOMEN ATTENDING ANTENATAL CLINIC IN SEFWI-WIAWSO MUNICIPAL HOSPITAL IN THE WESTERN REGION

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION

Recent studies have linked periodontal disease in pregnancy to poor pregnancy outcome such as low birth weight, pre-term delivery and still birth. These outcomes are of public health concern since low birth weight and pre-term infants stand the risk of feeding difficulty, thermal instability and delayed brain development. They may also suffer from chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart and kidney diseases later in their lives. Hormonal changes coupled with poor oral hygiene makes pregnant women more susceptible to periodontal disease. Their knowledge about the disease and good oral hygiene practices could help reduce their susceptibility.

OBJECTIVES

This study sought to determine the prevalence of periodontal disease among women attending antenatal clinic at Sefwi-Wiawso Municipal Hospital. It also assessed their knowledge of periodontal disease, assess their attitudes towards oral hygiene and identify the factors associated with periodontal disease in pregnancy.

METHODS

A cross sectional descriptive study was undertaken. Convenient sampling was used to select 156 pregnant women. Interview was used to collect data. In addition, they had oral examination. Their periodontal status were assessed with the use of Community Periodontal Index of Treatment Needs (CPITN) score. They were interviewed on their knowledge of periodontal disease, their attitudes towards oral hygiene and other factors determined. Data was analysed using STATA 13.1. Logistic regression model was used to assess the association between periodontal disease and education as well as frequency of cleaning teeth.

RESULTS.

A total of 156 pregnant women were involved in the study. Mean age was 27.8 (+6.2) years, range 16-44 years with majority 52.6% in their third trimester. Majority of the respondents 60% have heard about periodontal disease with about 45% through the mass media. Majority presumed poor oral hygiene to be the cause of periodontal disease, 10% had symptomatic lesions out of which 82% being pain as their complaint and, 80% did not receive oral health education at antenatal clinic. Respondents generally showed positive attitude towards oral health as 56% cleaned their teeth twice a day and 95% use toothpaste and toothbrush. The CPITN revealed 75% had periodontal disease and higher education of secondary and above have odds ratio of OR=0.02 whiles frequency of cleaning their teeth more than once has odds ratio of OR=0.26

CONCLUSION

The prevalence of periodontal disease is high among pregnant women attending antenatal clinic in Sefwi-Wiawso Hospital. Although the women examined exhibited acceptable level of oral health knowledge and practices, the results showed some gaps in oral health education. Therefore, effort to prevent periodontal disease in pregnancy should be part of antenatal health education policy in the municipality and country.