ABSTRACT
Background: There has been a lot of interest in knowing the effects of oral health on adverse pregnancy outcomes like preterm births and low birth weight. Studies have yielded contradicting results and there are lot of confounding issues that blur the picture. Aim of the study is to determine the prevalence of periodontitis is pregnant population and determine the effect of periodontitis on preterm births and low birth weight.Methods: This was a cross sectional study of singleton pregnant women attending ante-natal checkups with oral interview and clinical examination. Oral examination was done at the beginning of third trimester of pregnancy. They were followed up to delivery to note the duration of gestation, birth weight of babies.Results: The prevalence of periodontitis was 22% with 90.9% having mild and 9.1% having moderate periodontitis. Maternal education (high school and above) was associated with lower prevalence of periodontitis (p=0.042). There was no difference in the birth weights between the group with and without periodontitis (2.9±0.41kgs vs 2.74±0.36kgs, p=0.11). The incidence of low birth weights was also similar (p=0.22). The average gestational age was slightly less in the group with periodontitis (38 weeks 3 days vs 37 weeks 5 days) but the rates of preterm births were similar between the two groups (p=0.61).Conclusions: Mild/moderate periodontitis does not appear to have a significant effect on pre-term births and low birth weight. Maternal education and awareness seem to mitigate development of periodontitis and adverse pregnancy outcomes.
ABSTRACT
Background: Hepatitis B infection is a common and preventable infection in India. Mother to child transmission is the most common method of infection in our country. Awareness regarding hepatitis B among pregnant women is important to take preventive measures like screening during pregnancy, vaccination of child. Studies evaluating knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) towards hepatitis B among the pregnant women in our country are sparse.Methods: A cross sectional survey was conducted to evaluate KAP towards hepatitis B among pregnant women was conducted after handing over an information hand-out. Data was collected using a standard questionnaire with three sections: i) Demographic data ii) Knowledge questions iii) Attitude and Practice questions. Results: 42% of the 350 participants were aware about hepatitis B infection. The mean knowledge score was 6.33 (±2.86). Only 33.3% were aware that hepatitis B is transmitted by unprotected sex and 8.2% were knowledgeable of mother to child transmission. The mean attitude/practice score was 2.97 (±1.69). Only 30% would insist on safe equipment and blood/blood products. 84% would hesitate to have casual contact with hepatitis B infected persons. Most feared the stigma associated with hepatitis b infection than its health consequences. 70% would vaccinate their child to prevent hepatitis B infection. Women with greater knowledge about hepatitis B had better attitude/practice towards its prevention.Conclusions: Knowledge about HBV among pregnant women was poor and needs to be improved to prevent mother to child transmission. Educational programs need to be tailored for the target population for better uptake.