European Journal of Preventive Medicine

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An Assessment of the Perceived Association between Oral Health and Pregnancy Outcomes in a Sample of Surveyed Doctors in Port Harcourt Nigeria

Received: 31 October 2014    Accepted: 06 November 2014    Published: 20 November 2014
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Abstract

Background: Misconceptions exist on the safety of dental care during pregnancy. The aim of the study was to evaluate the knowledge of medical practitioners on the relationship between oral health and pregnancy outcomes. Subjects and Methods: A cross-sectional survey involving resident doctors at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Rivers State Nigeria. Data was collected using self-administered questionnaires and analyzed using IBM SPSS (New York, USA) statistics version 20.0. Frequency statistics and bivariate analysis were done and Chi-square test was used to test for statistical significance at the critical value p<0.05. Results: A total of 138 medical practitioners made up of 90 (65.2%) males and 48 (34.8%) females completed the questionnaire. Eighty five (62%) of the subjects were less than 35 years and 76 (55%) had practiced for less than 10 years. Approximately 53% of the subjects would advise patients to visit dentist during pregnancy. The sources of information were medical journal, 58%; medical curriculum, 46%; clinical teaching, 52% and internet, 35%. The majority 117 (85%) of the participants believed there was a possible connection between oral health and pregnancy outcomes, whereas 86 (62.3%) were ignorant that it was safe to carryout dental treatment during pregnancy. Gender, age and years of practice were significant determinant for advising dental visits. Conclusion: Approximately half of the medical practitioners would advise dental visits during pregnancy. Though majority of the participants were aware of the possible connection between oral health and pregnancy outcomes, they were ignorant of the impact of oral diseases on pregnancy outcomes and safety of dental care during pregnancy.

DOI 10.11648/j.ejpm.20140206.13
Published in European Journal of Preventive Medicine (Volume 2, Issue 6, November 2014)
Page(s) 95-98
Creative Commons

This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.

Copyright

Copyright © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Dental Visit, Medical Practitioners, Pregnancy Outcomes, Prenatal Care

References
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Author Information
  • Department of Preventive Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, College of Health Sciences, University of Port Harcourt, Choba Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria

  • Department of Preventive Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, College of Health Sciences, University of Port Harcourt, Choba Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria

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    Braimoh Omoigberai Bashiru, Ilochonwu Nzube Anthony. (2014). An Assessment of the Perceived Association between Oral Health and Pregnancy Outcomes in a Sample of Surveyed Doctors in Port Harcourt Nigeria. European Journal of Preventive Medicine, 2(6), 95-98. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ejpm.20140206.13

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    Braimoh Omoigberai Bashiru; Ilochonwu Nzube Anthony. An Assessment of the Perceived Association between Oral Health and Pregnancy Outcomes in a Sample of Surveyed Doctors in Port Harcourt Nigeria. Eur. J. Prev. Med. 2014, 2(6), 95-98. doi: 10.11648/j.ejpm.20140206.13

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    AMA Style

    Braimoh Omoigberai Bashiru, Ilochonwu Nzube Anthony. An Assessment of the Perceived Association between Oral Health and Pregnancy Outcomes in a Sample of Surveyed Doctors in Port Harcourt Nigeria. Eur J Prev Med. 2014;2(6):95-98. doi: 10.11648/j.ejpm.20140206.13

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  • @article{10.11648/j.ejpm.20140206.13,
      author = {Braimoh Omoigberai Bashiru and Ilochonwu Nzube Anthony},
      title = {An Assessment of the Perceived Association between Oral Health and Pregnancy Outcomes in a Sample of Surveyed Doctors in Port Harcourt Nigeria},
      journal = {European Journal of Preventive Medicine},
      volume = {2},
      number = {6},
      pages = {95-98},
      doi = {10.11648/j.ejpm.20140206.13},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ejpm.20140206.13},
      eprint = {https://download.sciencepg.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ejpm.20140206.13},
      abstract = {Background: Misconceptions exist on the safety of dental care during pregnancy. The aim of the study was to evaluate the knowledge of medical practitioners on the relationship between oral health and pregnancy outcomes. Subjects and Methods: A cross-sectional survey involving resident doctors at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Rivers State Nigeria.  Data was collected using self-administered questionnaires and analyzed using IBM SPSS (New York, USA) statistics version 20.0. Frequency statistics and bivariate analysis were done and Chi-square test was used to test for statistical significance at the critical value p<0.05. Results: A total of 138 medical practitioners made up of 90 (65.2%) males and 48 (34.8%) females completed the questionnaire. Eighty five (62%) of the subjects were less than 35 years and 76 (55%) had practiced for less than 10 years. Approximately 53% of the subjects would advise patients to visit dentist during pregnancy. The sources of information were medical journal, 58%; medical curriculum, 46%; clinical teaching, 52% and internet, 35%. The majority 117 (85%) of the participants believed there was a possible connection between oral health and pregnancy outcomes, whereas 86 (62.3%) were ignorant that it was safe to carryout dental treatment during pregnancy. Gender, age and years of practice were significant determinant for advising dental visits. Conclusion: Approximately half of the medical practitioners would advise dental visits during pregnancy. Though majority of the participants were aware of the possible connection between oral health and pregnancy outcomes, they were ignorant of the impact of oral diseases on pregnancy outcomes and safety of dental care during pregnancy.},
     year = {2014}
    }
    

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  • TY  - JOUR
    T1  - An Assessment of the Perceived Association between Oral Health and Pregnancy Outcomes in a Sample of Surveyed Doctors in Port Harcourt Nigeria
    AU  - Braimoh Omoigberai Bashiru
    AU  - Ilochonwu Nzube Anthony
    Y1  - 2014/11/20
    PY  - 2014
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    JF  - European Journal of Preventive Medicine
    JO  - European Journal of Preventive Medicine
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    EP  - 98
    PB  - Science Publishing Group
    SN  - 2330-8230
    UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ejpm.20140206.13
    AB  - Background: Misconceptions exist on the safety of dental care during pregnancy. The aim of the study was to evaluate the knowledge of medical practitioners on the relationship between oral health and pregnancy outcomes. Subjects and Methods: A cross-sectional survey involving resident doctors at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Rivers State Nigeria.  Data was collected using self-administered questionnaires and analyzed using IBM SPSS (New York, USA) statistics version 20.0. Frequency statistics and bivariate analysis were done and Chi-square test was used to test for statistical significance at the critical value p<0.05. Results: A total of 138 medical practitioners made up of 90 (65.2%) males and 48 (34.8%) females completed the questionnaire. Eighty five (62%) of the subjects were less than 35 years and 76 (55%) had practiced for less than 10 years. Approximately 53% of the subjects would advise patients to visit dentist during pregnancy. The sources of information were medical journal, 58%; medical curriculum, 46%; clinical teaching, 52% and internet, 35%. The majority 117 (85%) of the participants believed there was a possible connection between oral health and pregnancy outcomes, whereas 86 (62.3%) were ignorant that it was safe to carryout dental treatment during pregnancy. Gender, age and years of practice were significant determinant for advising dental visits. Conclusion: Approximately half of the medical practitioners would advise dental visits during pregnancy. Though majority of the participants were aware of the possible connection between oral health and pregnancy outcomes, they were ignorant of the impact of oral diseases on pregnancy outcomes and safety of dental care during pregnancy.
    VL  - 2
    IS  - 6
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