Motivational Intervention to Modify Knowledge about Periodontal Disease Prevention in Pregnant Women

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Currently, periodontal disease during pregnancy is associated with gestational diabetes, low birth weight, and pre-term birth. AIM: The aim of this study was to determine the difference in the level of knowledge about periodontal disease prevention, before and after applying a motivational educational intervention in pregnant women at a primary health-care center. METHODS: Quasi-experimental study in 180 pregnant women from a health center, during the period September to December 2022. The data collection technique was a questionnaire survey with satisfactory characteristics of validity and reliability. An educational intervention with a motivational approach was developed, which was validated in a pre-liminary pilot test. The Wilcoxon statistical test was used to compare knowledge before and after the intervention, and the Chi-square test to assess the association between variables. RESULTS: The age and educational level that pre-dominated were 21–30 years and complete secondary school, respectively. A significant difference was found between the level of knowledge before and after in pregnant women (p < 0.001). There was no association between the level of knowledge about periodontal disease prevention with age and educational level in pregnant women at the health center, before and after a motivational intervention (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The motivational educational intervention managed to significantly improve the level of knowledge in pregnant women about the prevention of periodontal disease; however, it was not associated with age and educational level.