Knowledge, Attitudes And Practice Behaviours Of Healthcare Professionals On Association Between Periodontal Disease And Preterm And/Or Low Birth Weight Infants: A Malaysian Study

ABSTRACT

Our study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes and practice behaviours of primary healthcare professionals in government Maternal and Child Healthcare Clinics (MCHC) on the association between oral health and pregnancy outcomes namely pre-term and/or low birth weight (PT/LBW) infants and to identify the barriers of utilisation of oral healthcare services by pregnant mothers. Questionnaires were distributed to government healthcare professionals working at all seven government MCHC in the Manjung District, Malaysia. 136 out of 158 questionnaires were returned completed yielding a 92% response rate. The questionnaire covers respondents characteristics, attitude and practice behaviours related to oral health and barriers faced when referring pregnant mothers to the dental clinic. 65% of respondents noticed dental/ gum problems in the pregnant mothers that they encountered. The two most frequent response for outcome of delivery linked to gum/ dental problems were premature delivery (49%) responses and low birth weight (27%). Although 95% of the respondents believed that regular dental check-ups is compulsory for pregnant mothers, only 69% regularly refer pregnant mothers for dental check-ups. There was a significance between healthcare professionals that receive continuing dental education and their referrals of antenatal mothers for dental check-ups .