Authors :
Okafor, Ngozi Roseline; Okoli, Scholastica Chidi; Azubuine, Raphael; Asogwa Patrick
Volume/Issue :
Volume 11 - 2026, Issue 5 - May
Google Scholar :
https://tinyurl.com/8ydmxxyy
Scribd :
https://tinyurl.com/h5seme98
DOI :
https://doi.org/10.38124/ijisrt/26may1981
Note : A published paper may take 4-5 working days from the publication date to appear in PlumX Metrics, Semantic Scholar, and ResearchGate.
Abstract :
Oral health neglect is a growing public health concern among women in Nigeria, contributing to preventable
dental diseases, systemic infections, and adverse pregnancy outcomes. This cross-sectional study assessed the knowledge and
attitudes toward oral health care among 422 child-bearing women attending the postnatal clinic at Federal Medical Centre,
Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria. Results showed that (55.2%) of respondents had heard of the importance of regular dental
check-ups, while (23.7%) believed dental care during pregnancy was unnecessary.
Keywords :
Oral Health Neglect, Child-Bearing Women, Knowledge, Attitude, Abeokuta.
References :
- Adeniyi, A. A., Sofola, O. O., & Onigbogi, O. O. (2019). Economic barriers to oral healthcare in Nigeria. Health Economics Review, 9(1), 23. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13561-019-0234-5
- Akpata, E. S. (2018). Cultural beliefs and oral health practices in Nigeria. Nigerian Dental Journal, 26(1), 5–10.
- Babatunde, O., Ogunbodede, E. O., & Adeleke, O. A. (2021). Barriers to dental care utilization in Southwest Nigeria. BMC Oral Health, 21(1), 45. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12903-021-01398-2
- Federal Ministry of Health. (2022). National oral health policy and strategic plan 2022–2026. Abuja: Federal Ministry of Health.
- National Population Commission, & ICF. (2018). Nigeria demographic and health survey 2018. Abuja: National Population Commission and ICF.
- Offenbacher, S., Jared, H. L., O’Reilly, P. G., & Lieff, S. (2016). Maternal oral health and adverse pregnancy outcomes. Obstetrics & Gynecology, 127(4), 701–708. https://doi.org/10.1097/AOG.0001336
- Olatosi, O. O., Oredugba, F. A., & Adeniyi, A. A. (2021). Perception of dental care during pregnancy among Nigerian women. Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 41(5), 678–683. https://doi.org/10.1080/01443615.2020.1827231
- Opeodu, O. I., Arowojolu, M. O., & Odukoya, O. A. (2020). Oral health status and treatment needs of pregnant women in Ibadan, Nigeria. African Journal of Oral Health, 9(1), 12–18.
- Petersen, P. E., Ogawa, H., & Estupinan-Day, S. (2019). The global burden of oral diseases and risks to health. Bulletin of the World Health Organization, 97(2), 122–133. https://doi.org/10.2471/BLT.18.226142
- Ramos-Gomez, F., Weintraub, J. A., Gansky, S. A., & Featherstone, J. D. B. (2019). Maternal oral health education and its impact on child oral health. Pediatric Dentistry, 41(3), 190–196.
- United Nations. (2015). Transforming our world: The 2030 agenda for sustainable development. New York: United Nations.
- United Nations Population Fund. (2020). State of world population 2020: Against my will - Defying the practices that harm women and girls and undermine equality. New York: United Nations Population Fund.
- Watt, R. G., Heilmann, A., Listl, S., & Peres, M. A. (2018). Reducing inequalities in oral health: An action planning approach. Community Dentistry and Oral Epidemiology, 46(1), 4–10. https://doi.org/10.1111/cdoe.12331
- World Health Organization. (2021). Oral health: Key facts. Geneva: World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/oral-health
Oral health neglect is a growing public health concern among women in Nigeria, contributing to preventable
dental diseases, systemic infections, and adverse pregnancy outcomes. This cross-sectional study assessed the knowledge and
attitudes toward oral health care among 422 child-bearing women attending the postnatal clinic at Federal Medical Centre,
Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria. Results showed that (55.2%) of respondents had heard of the importance of regular dental
check-ups, while (23.7%) believed dental care during pregnancy was unnecessary.
Keywords :
Oral Health Neglect, Child-Bearing Women, Knowledge, Attitude, Abeokuta.