OHRQoL Among Pregnant Women in Nigeria: A Preliminary Analysis

Abstract

Objectives: To examine self-reported oral health and oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) among pregnant women in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. Methods: Pregnant women attending antenatal clinic at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin-City, Edo State Nigeria participated in the study. A self-completed questionnaire survey was administered to collect data on oral health problems experienced during pregnancy, perceived oral health status, treatment need and OHRQoL using OHIP-14 as well as socio-demographic characteristics. Differences in the median OHIP-14 scores were compared using Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis tests at 0.05 level of significance. Results: Among the 329 pregnant women (mean age 30.7 years, SD 4.6; mean gestational age 25.6 weeks, SD 8.5; 63% had childbearing history) included in this preliminary analysis, 24% reported having dental problems during pregnancy. The most frequently mentioned problems were gum bleeding (5%), sensitivity to hot and cold (4%), bad breath (3%) and pain that disturbed sleep (3%). Majority of the participants rated their oral health to be very good (38%) and good (50%), 28% perceived a need to visit a dentist. The mean (median) OHIP-14 score was 6.2 (2.0), SD: 8.3 and scores ranged from 0 to 44. Higher median OHIP-scores were found among those with reports of dental problems (yes: 10.0, no: 0.0; p<0.001), those with poorer perceived oral health (fair/poor: 16.0, good: 4.0, very good: 0.0; p<0.001) and those that perceived a need to visit a dentist (yes: 8.5, no: 0.0, p<0.001). Conclusions: In general, pregnant women reported good OHRQoL. Pregnant women with oral health problem experience, poor perceived oral health status and with perceived need for visiting a dentist were associated with poorer OHRQoL.