Table 6 Oral health behaviors and oral health knowledge of pregnant migrant workers and local pregnant women
Oral health behaviors and knowledge n (%) | Pregnant migrants (n = 208) | Local pregnant women (n = 210) | p value |
|---|---|---|---|
Brushed teeth twice daily or more often | 201 (96.6) | 206 (98.1) | 0.351 |
Did not know about fluoride toothpaste | 159 (76.4) | 20 (9.5) | < 0.001* |
Was ignorant regarding the protective effect of fluoride toothpaste | 46 (22.1) | 188 (89.5) | < 0.001* |
Used fluoride toothpaste regularly | 38 (18.3) | 167 (79.5) | < 0.001* |
Did not know whether the toothpaste they used on a daily basis was fluorinated | 167 (80.3) | 38 (18.1) | < 0.001* |
Did not appreciate the need to use fluoride toothpaste | 172 (82.7) | 33 (15.7) | < 0.001* |
Did not know about dental floss | 115 (55.3) | 34 (16.2) | < 0.001* |
Knew about dental floss but had never used it | 64 (30.8) | 118 (56.2) | < 0.001* |
Had used dental floss | 26 (12.5) | 43 (20.5) | 0.028* |
Used dental floss daily | 2 (1.0) | 9 (4.3) | 0.344F |
Used a toothpick | 96 (46.2) | 120 (57.1) | 0.025* |
Consumed sweets on a daily basis | 28 (13.5) | 29 (13.8) | 0.917 |
Consumed soda drinks on a daily basis | 20 (9.6) | 17 (8.1) | 0.584 |
Had never visited a dentist or had done so less than once in a year | 127 (61.1) | 22 (10.5) | < 0.001* |
Was aware of increased risk of tooth decay and periodontal disease during pregnancy | 55 (26.4) | 135 (64.3) | < 0.001* |
Believed that pregnant women should not get oral treatment | 155 (74.5) | 92 (43.8) | < 0.001* |