Frequency and factors associated with the utilization (curative and preventive) of oral health care services among pregnant women in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo.
Patrick Marob-Ndjock Sekele, Erick Ntambwe Kamangu, Harry-César Ntumba Kayembe, Fatiha Chandad, Jacques Ileboso Bolenge, Stephanie Mikalo Mbambi, Jean-Paul Isouradi-Bourley Sekele, Em Kazadi Kalala, Fidele Bushabu Nyimi, Pierre Zalagile Akilimali
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Abstract
Background: The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has one of the highest maternal and neonatal mortality rates in Africa. There is a growing body of evidence about the relationship between poor oral health and adverse pregnancy outcomes. However, there is a lack of information about oral health status during pregnancy in the DRC. This study aimed to identify the factors related to the utilization of oral health care services among pregnant women.
Methods: A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted in four health facilities representing each administrative district of the city of Kinshasa, between March and May, 2021. The study population comprised pregnant women aged at least 18 or over attending antenatal care (ANC), selected using a simple random sampling technique. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire. Multivariable logistic regression was employed to identify factors associated with the outcome variable using the adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with its 95% confidence interval (95% CI) and p value < 0.05.
Results: A total of 5% of the 500 pregnant women who participated in the study were identified as users of oral healthcare services. 15% of pregnant women were aware of the necessity of oral health care during pregnancy, while 58% indicated that dental visits for routine and/or treatment purposes were not a priority during pregnancy. Factors associated with its utilization were knowledge of the need for oral health care during pregnancy (AOR:3.62, 95% CI: 1.42-9.26), knowledge of the importance of routine visits or dental treatment for oral diseases during pregnancy (AOR: 4.94, 95% CI: 1.70-16.73), and having experience oral health problem during the current pregnancy (AOR: 3.13, 95% CI: 1.22-8.21).
Conclusion: The utilization of oral health care services during pregnancy is very low. Appropriate public health initiatives are urgently needed to facilitate collaboration between health professionals to integrate oral and dental consultations, oral health counseling, and check-ups as an essential component of routine ANC.
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