Oral health and quality of life of pregnant women: the influence of sociodemographic factors.

Karina Tonini Dos Santos Pacheco,Antônio Carlos Pacheco Filho,Keiko Oliveira Sakugawa,Carolina Dutra Degli Esposti,Artenio José Isper Garbin,Cléa Adas Saliba Garbin,Katrini Guidolini Martinelli,Edson Theodoro Santos Neto

doi:10.1590/1413-81232020256.24002018

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between sociodemographic factors and the impact on Oral Health-Related Quality of Life (OHR-QoL) in Brazilian pregnant women users of the Unified Health System. This is a cross-sectional epidemiological study developed with pregnant women living in two regions with different sociodemographic characteristics. In total, 1,777 puerperae were interviewed. A structured and previously tested questionnaire collected sociodemographic variables, and the Oral Health Index Profile (OHIP-14) assessed the impact on the OHR-QoL. The statistical analysis was performed using the Chi-square test and multiple logistic regression, both with a significance of 5%. The "psychological discomfort" realm was the only one with a difference between the puerperae of the RMGV and the MRSM (p=0.042). The following variables were associated with the impact on the OHR-QoL: residing in the RMGV (OR=1.69; 95%CI: 1.16-2.47); having a low level of schooling (OR=1.80; 95%CI: 1.03-3.18) and visit to the dentist during pregnancy (OR=2.15, 95%CI: 1.50-3.07). Sociodemographic factors should be considered in the planning of oral health actions of pregnant women, as they influence the impact on the OHR-QoL.

Highlights

Pregnancy is a complex condition involving physical and psychological changes that may impact a woman’s oral health
The RMGV and the MRSM represent two distinct populations, the former being predominantly urban (98%), with the Municipal Human Development Index (MHDI) always above 0.7 in 2010, and the latter, with around a quarter of the population residing in rural areas, with the worst MHDI in the state, always below 0.724
The following differences were found when comparing women of these two microregions: RMGV pregnant women are more educated (p = 0.021), while those from the MRSM reside in the rural area (32.6%, p = 0.000) and belong to the lowest economic classes (40.2% belong to economic class D or E, p = 0.001)

Summary

Introduction

Pregnancy is a complex condition involving physical and psychological changes that may impact a woman’s oral health. In a study with pregnant women users of SUS regarding the prevalence of gingivitis, Bressane et al.[4] found that the higher the schooling level and the household income, the lower the prevalence of the disease. Another essential aspect reported by these authors was that most pregnant women (94%) affirmed the need for treatment at the time of the interview. Some factors described in the literature have been attributed to discouraging the search for dental care during pregnancy, such as popular beliefs (anesthesia risks, hemorrhages, dangers to the baby), lack of awareness of the need for treatment (they often believe that a toothache is associated with the condition of pregnancy) and fear of pain[5,6]

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