Knowledge of oral health during pregnancy and associated factors among pregnant mothers attending antenatal care at South Omo Zone public hospitals, Southern Ethiopia, 2021

BACKGROUND: The awareness of women towards oral health during pregnancy is an important aspect of her general health. It can compromise pregnancy outcomes, as well as it may affect the newborn’s overall health. Every pregnant woman plays a critical role in shaping the oral hygiene habits adopted by her if she is aware of pregnancy-related oral health and result in good perinatal outcomes. This study aimed to assess knowledge of oral health during pregnancy and associated factors among pregnant mothers who attend antenatal care at South Omo Zone public hospitals, Southern Ethiopia, 2021. METHODS: An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted among pregnant women attending routine antenatal care from October 01 to November 30. A systematic random sampling method was conducted to select study participants. Data had been collected through face-to-face interviews using semi-structured questionnaires. Data were entered using epi data version 3.1 and exported to Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 25 for data analysis. Descriptive statistics had calculated for each variable, and binary logistic regression analysis with 95% confidence intervals was carried out to assess the factors associated with the outcome variables. Variables with P-value less than 0.05 were used to declare statistical significance. RESULT: Overall good knowledge of pregnant mothers regarding oral health was 34.1% with 95% CI, (32.76, 35.44). Having access to health facility (AOR = 2.60, 95% CI, 1.44, 4.70), having the educational status of secondary and above (AOR 1.37, 95% CI, 1.44, 4.31), having the educational status of primary education (AOR = 0.43, 95% CI, 0.20, 0.92), having a median income of > = 1500 Ethiopian birr (AOR = 0.41, 95% CI, 0.23, 0.72), being governmental employee (AOR = 0.11, 95% CI, 0.03, 0.41), received oral health hygiene counseling during pregnancy (AOR = 1.33, 95% CI, 1.62, 2.84) were significantly associated with good knowledge of oral health of pregnant mothers. CONCLUSION: This study showed that the knowledge of pregnant mothers about oral health was 34.1%. Educational status, monthly income, occupation, access to health services, and receiving counseling on oral hygiene at antenatal care were some factors associated with good knowledge of oral health during pregnancy. Therefore strengthening counseling during antenatal care, improving access to a health facility, improving educational status, monthly income, and being government employee are crucial to enhance knowledge of women towards oral health during pregnancy.