# Oral Hygiene Practices, Knowledge, and Awareness of Periodontal Disease Among Pregnant Women Visiting the Antenatal Clinic at Korle‐Bu Teaching Hospital

## TL;DR

This study found that while many pregnant women brush their teeth regularly, their overall oral hygiene practices and knowledge about periodontal disease are poor, highlighting the need for better education during prenatal care.

## Contribution

The study provides insights into oral hygiene practices and periodontal disease awareness among pregnant women in a Ghanaian hospital setting.

## Key findings

- Most participants brushed their teeth twice daily, but flossing and dental visits were uncommon.
- Over half of the participants had poor knowledge and awareness of periodontal disease.
- Gum swelling and tooth sensitivity were significantly associated with knowledge and awareness of periodontal disease.

## Abstract

Periodontal disease is a chronic inflammatory condition that affects the supporting structures of the teeth. Among pregnant women, hormonal changes further elevate the risk of developing periodontal disease. This study aimed to assess oral hygiene practices, knowledge, and awareness of periodontal disease among pregnant women visiting the antenatal clinic at Korle‐Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH).

A cross‐sectional study was conducted on 122 pregnant women who visited the antenatal clinic at KBTH. The study employed a simple random sampling technique to select participants. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 26. The significance level was set at p < 0.050.

The findings revealed that the majority of participants reported brushing their teeth twice a day (70.5%). However, the rates of flossing, dental visits, and mouthwash usage were low among the participants, with 65.6% reporting never flossing, 69.7% reporting never having a dental visit. The level of knowledge and awareness of periodontal disease was found to be inadequate, with more than half of the participants (54%) demonstrating poor knowledge and awareness. No significant associations were found between oral hygiene practices, demographic characteristics, and knowledge of periodontal disease. However, a significant association was observed between experienced periodontal conditions, such as gum swelling (p value = 0.029) and tooth sensitivity (p value = 0.013), with knowledge and awareness of periodontal disease.

Although most participants demonstrated good brushing habits, flossing, mouthwash usage, and dental visits were suboptimal. The level of knowledge and awareness of periodontal disease was also found to be limited, with many pregnant women being unaware of its potential impact on pregnancy outcomes. No significant associations were found between oral hygiene practices, demographics, and knowledge of periodontal disease.

This study assessed oral hygiene knowledge, awareness, and practices among pregnant women attending a tertiary antenatal clinic in Ghana, revealing gaps in periodontal disease awareness and suboptimal oral hygiene practices, underscoring the need for integrating oral health education into routine antenatal care services.