# The effect of web-based educational intervention on caries-preventive oral health behaviors in pregnant women: an application of the health belief model

## TL;DR

A web-based education program improved pregnant women's knowledge and health beliefs about oral health, but did not significantly change their preventive behaviors.

## Contribution

This study applies the Health Belief Model to a web-based educational intervention for improving oral health behaviors in pregnant women.

## Key findings

- The intervention group showed significant improvements in knowledge and health belief model constructs.
- Preventive oral health behaviors increased significantly within the intervention group.
- Between-group differences in behavior change were not statistically significant.

## Abstract

Oral health during pregnancy is critical for both maternal and neonatal outcomes, yet awareness and preventive behaviors remain suboptimal. This study evaluated the effect of a web-based educational intervention, grounded in the Health Belief Model (HBM), on caries-preventive oral health behaviors in pregnant women.

In a quasi-experimental design, 66 pregnant women in Bushehr, Iran, were randomly assigned to intervention and control groups. The intervention group received a multimedia web-based education program based on HBM constructs, while the control group received routine care. Data on knowledge, HBM constructs, and preventive behaviors were collected before and three months after the intervention using validated questionnaires. Statistical analyses included repeated measures ANOVA to compare changes over time between groups.

Post-intervention, the intervention group showed significant improvements in knowledge and most HBM constructs (perceived susceptibility, severity, benefits, barriers, and self-efficacy) compared to controls (p < 0.05). Although preventive oral health behaviors increased significantly within the intervention group (p = 0.022), between-group differences in behavior change were not statistically significant (p = 0.171).

The web-based educational program effectively enhanced pregnant women’s knowledge and health beliefs regarding oral health but did not produce a statistically significant improvement in preventive behaviors compared to routine care. Integrating HBM-based web education offers a flexible, cost-effective approach to promote oral health awareness during pregnancy, though further strategies may be needed to translate knowledge gains into sustained behavioral change.