Burden of oral health issues and its association with the participation in ‘Health care for Newly Wedded Programme’ among reproductive aged pre-conceptive married women before their first pregnancy in Kalutara district, Sri Lanka

• Main Authors: Hewage Dona Vindya Gayathri (Author), Nilantha Ratnayake (Author)
• Format: Book
• Published: College of Community Physicians of Sri Lanka, 2024-09-01T00:00:00Z.
• Subjects: article
• Online Access: Connect to this object online.

Summary

Introduction: Oral diseases are major public health problem among reproductive aged pre-conceptive married women. 'Healthcare for Newly Wedded' programme (HNWP) address the oral health issues among them. Objective: To assess the effect of HNWP on the oral health status among reproductive aged pre-conceptive married women before their first pregnancy in Kalutara district. Methods: Community based descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 820 of married women before their first pregnancy in Kalutara district using an interviewer administered questionnaire and a clinical oral examination. Categorical data were presented as percentages and 95% confidence intervals (CI). Bivariate analysis was done for comparisons and multivariate analysis was done to adjust for confounders. Results: Preconceived married women carried a considerable burden of oral diseases (dental caries - 46.7%, calculus - 46.0%, gingival bleeding - 31.6%). There was a potential to reduce the presence of active dental caries by referring them to a dental clinic under the HNWP (OR = 0.443, P = 0.001). Conclusion and recommendations: Referral to a dental clinic at HNWP should be improved to improve the oral health status of this target group since the HNWP is effective in reduction of dental caries.

Item Description

10.4038/jccpsl.v30i3.8711
1391-3174
2579-1451