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Malaysian Journal of Medical Sciences
School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia
ISSN: 1394-195X
Vol. 23, No. 1, 2016, pp. 63-71
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Bioline Code: mj16009
Full paper language: English
Document type: Research Article
Document available free of charge
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Malaysian Journal of Medical Sciences, Vol. 23, No. 1, 2016, pp. 63-71
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Knowledge and Attitude of Medical Nurses toward Oral Health and Oral Health Care of Pregnant Women
Sharif, Suzana; Saddki, Norkhafizah & Yusoff, Azizah
Abstract
Background:
This study assessed the knowledge and attitudes of medical nurses regarding oral health and oral health care of pregnant women.
Methods:
This cross sectional study of 133 nurses in the district of Tumpat, Kelantan (Malaysia) used self-administered questionnaires.
Results:
Most nurses knew that dental plaque is associated with periodontal disease (97.7%). However, most nurses erroneously believed that tooth decay (86.5%) and excessive sugar consumption (87.2%) led to periodontal disease. About half of the nurses knew about the relationship between periodontal disease of pregnant women and low birth weight (43.6%) and preterm birth (48.9%). Many nurses had the misconception that the developing foetus draws calcium from the mothers’ teeth (78.2%). Most nurses had good attitudes toward improving their oral health knowledge (97.0%) and agreed they should help to deliver oral health education to pregnant women (94.0%). Age, length of service as a nurse, and length of service in antenatal care had no effect on the scores for the nurses’ knowledge and attitude regarding oral health and oral health care of pregnant women.
Conclusion:
Medical nurses had limited knowledge about oral health of pregnant women and had some misunderstandings about oral health, although they had good attitudes. Age, length of service as a nurse, and length service in antenatal care had no effect on the knowledge and attitude scores of the nurses.
Keywords
oral health; pregnancy; nurses; knowledge; attitude
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© Copyright 2016 - Malaysian Journal of Medical Sciences Alternative site location: http://www.medic.usm.my/publication/mjms/
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