Sociodemographic and behavioural determinants of early childhood caries knowledge among expectant mothers in Kuwait

M Al-Sane 1, A Koerber 2, M Montero 3, J K Baskaradoss 4, E Al-Sarraf 5, M Arab 6

Affiliations

06 January 2021

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doi: Early childhood caries; Infant oral health; Knowledge; Pregnancy; Prenatal oral health care.

Abstract

Purpose: Early Childhood Caries (ECC) is a highly prevalent disease in Kuwait. It poses health, economic, and social implications affecting patients, their families and communities. ECC awareness campaigns targeting expectant mothers hold a promising potential as primary prevention tools. Understanding the baseline of ECC knowledge (ECC-K) is an important foundational step in planning such interventions. The aim of this study was to assess the level of ECC-K in a sample of expectant mothers, and to identify the sociodemographic and behavioural determinants of that knowledge.

Methods: A multiple-choice questionnaire was distributed to 430 expectant women from one maternity hospital in Kuwait. The questionnaire gathered information on the demographics, ECC-K, and the oral health behaviours of the participants. Bivariate analysis assessed the relationship between ECC-K scores and the different socio-demographic variables and oral health practices of the participants. A multiple linear regression model was developed to identify the predictors of ECC-K scores RESULTS: The response rate was 94% (n = 405). The mean ECC-K score was 6.4 [standard deviation (SD) = 2.5] out of a maximum score of 14. Age, education, number of children, frequency of dental visits, and flossing frequency were significantly associated with ECC-K levels (p < 0.05).

Conclusions: ECC-K among this cohort of expectant mothers was inadequate. Educational interventions are needed to foster better ECC preventive practices.

Keywords: Early childhood caries; Infant oral health; Knowledge; Pregnancy; Prenatal oral health care.

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