Knowledge and Perception of Maternal and Child Oral Health among Antenatal Nurses in Southern Nigeria.

Abstract

Antenatal care encompasses pregnancy-related medi-care and health education with the aim of improving pregnancy outcome and/or the health of the mother and child. Nurses/ midwives educate pregnant patients at antenatal clinics (ANC), but their knowledge of oral health does not appear to have been evaluated in Nigeria. The study thus, aims to determine the knowledge and perception of antenatal nurses regarding the oral health of pregnant women, nursing mothers, and their babies.

Three tertiary centres in Nigeria were selected in each of the Southern geo-political zones. A one-point survey of nurses/ midwives on duty at the antenatal clinics (ANC) of these hospitals was conducted. An anonymous structured questionnaire was used in eliciting information regarding demographics, knowledge of common oral diseases, adverse pregnancy outcomes and opinions regarding child oral health. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 20.

Forty (85.1%) of the ANC nurses responded. They had a mean age of 32.9 years + 8.7 and have been involved with the nursing care at the ANC for an average of 6.4 years. Their knowledge of aetiology and prevention of gingivitis and dental caries was above 60% and 65%, respectively. Although 95% appreciated the importance of primary teeth, only 37.5% knew the appropriate age for the first dental visit and 60% will not recommend restorations of carious primary teeth. Only 25% knew there is a relationship between periodontal diseases and adverse pregnancy outcome. Ninety-five percent of them were willing to increase their oral health knowledge.

Most participants had an inadequate knowledge of maternal and child oral health and will benefit from oral health education.

Keywords : maternal and child oral health, antenatal nurses, knowledge and perception.