Periodontal Health Status of Pregnant Women Attending Three Ante-Natal Clinics in Accra, Ghana

R.Y. Goka; E.A. Nyako; J. Sackeyfio; S. Hewlett; T.A. Ndanu; A.B. Konadu; S.E. Ankoh

doi:10.60014/pmjg.v11i1.280

Authors

R.Y. Goka
E.A. Nyako
J. Sackeyfio
S. Hewlett
T.A. Ndanu
A.B. Konadu
S.E. Ankoh

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.60014/pmjg.v11i1.280

Keywords:

Pregnant women, Periodontal disease, Periodontal status, Treatment needs

Abstract

Objective:To assess the periodontal health status of pregnant Ghanaian women at different gestation periods.
Methodology: A cross-sectional study involving two hundred pregnant women attending the ante-natal clinic at Ussher polyclinics was done. Data was obtained by use of a questionnaire and on-site periodontal examination. Variables determined included the socio-demographic characteristics and Community Periodontal Index of Treatment Needs (CPITN) of study participants. A summary description of variables was presented, and cross-tabulations was used to compare responses among the three trimesters.
Results: About one third, (38%) of the study participants were in the third decade of life, with a majority (55%) having had formal education to the basic level. While 72% of women had never seen a dentist, nearly three-quarters (76.2%) had a CPITN of 2 or more.
Conclusion: There is a high prevalence of periodontal disease among pregnant women. Healthcare professionals should therefore consider oral healthcare referrals and education for pregnant women.