Knowledge of Five Different Types of Indonesian Health Workers Regarding Oral Health Services for Pregnant Women

Abstract

Background: Oral health care for pregnant women is often not provided by five health professionals in Indonesia: dentist, general practitioner, gynaecologist, promotion health officer, and midwives. While pregnant women also neither seek nor receive oral health treatment, even with apparent oral disease signs. This condition might occur due to a lack of understanding regarding the importance of oral health care for a healthy pregnancy. Objective: This study aimed to determine the knowledge of five different types of Indonesian health workers regarding oral health services for pregnant women. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on a population of five types of health workers in Indonesia. The sampling technique used was non-probability sampling with consecutive sampling technique from August until September 2019. The sample size was 191 health workers; calculation of sample size was conducted using the survey population to estimate the population proportion formula. The research data was collected using Google® Form questionnaire, which consisted of questions regarding regulations and socialisation about the oral health of pregnant women, the minimum number of visits of pregnant women to health service facility during pregnancy, the necessity for oral health examination during pregnancy, oral health treatment package for pregnant women, advisory for pregnant women to have an oral health examination, maternal and child health manual book. The questionnaire was distributed online to the five types of health workers in Indonesia. Data were analysed using Microsoft® Excel and presented in tabular form. Results: Nine out of thirteen knowledge criteria were in the 'less' category, which means 69% of health workers lacked knowledge regarding oral health services for pregnant women. Likewise, the number of respondents who knew the correct knowledge was found in 9 of the 13 criteria, indicated that only a small proportion of health workers had adequate knowledge regarding oral health services for pregnant women. Conclusion: Five different types of Indonesian health workers are not knowledgeable enough regarding the importance of oral health services for pregnant women. Only a small portion of Indonesia's health workers have adequate knowledge regarding appropriate oral health services for pregnant women.