Determinants of Tooth Brushing Behavior among Pregnant Women: An Application of the Pender’s Health Promotion Model

Aims: It is very important to maintain oral health during pregnancy because it has short- and long-term effects on the health of women and children. This study aimed to identify the factors affecting tooth brushing behavior among pregnant women based on Pender’s Health Promotion Model. Instruments & Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive-analytical study was performed on ۲۷۵ pregnant women under the coverage of the health centers of Arak, Iran, selected by cluster sampling method in ۲۰۲۱. Data were collected using a questionnaire, which was constructed and validated in this study. The questionnaire contained items about demographic variables and Health Promotion Model constructs. Data were analyzed in SPSS ۱۸ software using regression models. Findings: The mean age of participants was ۲۹.۶۷±۵.۵۴. Only ۲۴% of pregnant women brushed twice a day or more. Perceived Self-efficacy (β=۰.۱۵۷, p=۰.۰۲۰), perceived barriers of action (β= -۰.۱۳۸, p=۰.۰۴۹), and interpersonal influence (modeling) (β=۰.۱۸۸, p=۰.۰۰۲) had significant relationships with commitment to a plan of action. The pregnant women who had more self-efficacy (OR: ۱.۱۱۴, ۹۵% CI: ۱.۰۱۲-۱.۲۲۵) and more commitment to a plan of action (OR: ۱.۸۰۲, ۹۵% CI: ۱.۵۰۹-۲.۱۵۳) were more likely to brush their teeth twice or more a day. Conclusion: Perceived self-efficacy and commitment to a plan of action are determinant factors of brushing behavior in pregnant women based on Pender’s Health Promotion Model.

Keywords:

Pregnancy , Oral health , health promotion , theory , toothbrushing