Frontiers in oral health
Oral health knowledge, attitudes, practices and behavioral factors associated with clinical oral health indicators in pregnant women: a cross-sectional study in Spain
By Suárez-Sánchez FM, Prieto-Regueiro B, Ticona-Flores JM and 2 others.
Abstract
Background
Oral health during pregnancy is relevant to maternal well-being and has been associated with perinatal and child oral health outcomes. This study examined associations between a CAPSOM-derived composite knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) score, oral hygiene behaviors, and clinical oral health indicators in pregnant women attending primary health care centers in Lanzarote, Spain.
Methods
An observational cross-sectional study included 293 pregnant women. Sociodemographic, pregnancy-related, anthropometric, behavioral, and smoking-related variables were collected. Thirteen items based on the Maternal Oral Health Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices Questionnaire (CAPSOM) were combined into a composite KAP score. Clinical outcomes included Plaque Index, Gingival Index, and Tricolor Index. Hierarchical multiple linear regression models were fitted, with sensitivity analyses addressing potential overlap between behavioral variables and the composite KAP score. Additional adjusted models examined night-time toothbrushing.