Authors : J.A. Obuna, H.A.A. Ugboma, H. Igbinedion, B.N. Ejikeme, U.M. Agwu and E.W. Ugboma
Abstract: To determine the awareness of pregnancy-related oral diseases and the level of utilization of dental services by pregnant women attending antenatal clinic in a university teaching hospital. About 363 pregnant women who received antenatal care at Ebonyi State University Teaching Hospital were randomly selected and interviewed using a structured questionnaire over a period of 3 months (April-June, 2010). Of the 363 pregnant women interviewed, 297 (81.8%) were unaware of any pregnancy related oral diseases while 66 (18.2%) were aware of at least one pregnancy-related oral disease. Of the 45 (12.4%) women who have had oral disease, 18 (40%) were treated by dental surgeons, another 18 (40%) by general medical practitioners while 9 (20%) patronized patent medicine dealers. Respondents were aware of only three oral diseases: 54.5% were aware of Xerostomia, 28.8% knew of oral thrush while 16.7% were aware of perodontitis. The knowledge of pregnancy-related oral diseases and the utilization of dental services by parturients were poor. There is therefore the need for public health education on oral diseases in pregnancy, their complications and available dental services.
J.A. Obuna, H.A.A. Ugboma, H. Igbinedion, B.N. Ejikeme, U.M. Agwu and E.W. Ugboma, 2012. Awareness of Pregnancy-Related Oral Diseases in Women Attending Antenatal Clinics in a University Teaching Hospital in Nigeria. International Journal of Tropical Medicine, 7: 61-63.