The Health Belief Model Structures Related to Oral Healthaomong Pregnant Women

Background: Paying attention to dental and oral hygiene in vulnerable groups, includingpregnant women, is important for protecting and maintaining maternal and fetal health. This studywas performed with aim to determine the dimensions of health belief model Structures related tooral health behaviors among pregnant women in Kerman city. Methods: This descriptive,analytical and cross-sectional study was performed on ۱۳۸ pregnant women in health centers ofKerman city. Data collection tool was a researcher-made questionnaire based on health beliefmodel consisting of four sections: demographic information, oral hygiene status, health beliefmodel and assessment of gingival plaque index by Silness and loe Method. Frequency and relativefrequency were calculated for each of the variables. Data were analyzed by SPSS software (version۱۹) and linear regression analysis and t-test. P ۰. ۰۵ was considered statistically significant.Results: The mean and standard deviation of participants' plaque index was ۱. ۱۶± ۰. ۶۲, oralhygiene score was ۱۳. ۴۹± ۲. ۰۴ and total score of health belief model questionnaire was ۱۳۰. ۷۰±۱۱. ۸۴. ۶۱. The plaque index had significant relationship with perceived benefit (p۰. ۰۵). Also,there was a significant relationship between health belief model with education level, pregnancyweek and type of insurance (p۰. ۰۵). A significant relationship was found between oral hygienestatus with education level and pregnancy week (p۰. ۰۵). Conclusion: Health performance anddental plaque index of pregnant women are in moderate range which is the result of fear fromdental procedures. The total score of people's health belief model is also in the moderate range.So, attention to the beliefs and health aspects of pregnancy care and necessary education in thisarea is necessary and recommended.

Keywords:

Health behaviors , Oral Health , pregnancy