Impact of Socioeconomic Status on Oral Health-Associated Quality of Life of Pregnant Women Visiting a Public Sector Hospital

  • Fariha Farooq Senior Demonstrator, Department of Community and Preventive Dentistry, Multan Medical and Dental College Multan
  • Najam Ul Hassan Demonstrator, Department of Orthodontics, School of Dentistry/SZABMU Islamabad
  • Uzma tariq Associate Professor, Department of Oral Pathology, Isra University Hyderabad
  • Nadia Wajdan Assistant Professor, Department of Prosthodontics, Multan Medical and Dental College, Multan
  • Sidra Bano M-phil trainee, Department of Science of Dental Materials, Gandhara university, Peshawar
  • Usman Mahmood Professor, Department of Science of Dental Materials, Lahore Medical and Dental College, Lahore
  • Mudassar Mushtaq Jawad Abbasi Associate Professor, Health Services Academy Islamabad
Keywords: Dental health, Oral Health Related Quality of Life

Abstract

Objectives: To evaluate impact of socio economic status on oral health associated quality of life among pregnant ladiesĀ 

Methodology: This cross sectional study was conducted in Federal Govt. Services Hospital of Islamabad from April-June 2024. Pregnant women between 18-49 years of age coming for antenatal care visit, without any systemic illness were recruited via simple random sampling. Oral health-related quality of life amongst pregnant women was checked. Oral-clinical assessment of pregnant patients was done by using Oral health- impact profile questionnaire (OHIP-14). Approval from HSA ethical clearance committee & inform consent from patients was taken for this study. Chi-square test was applied to determine probable association b/w variables, with considering a p-value of 0.05 as significant.

Results: About one-third population of this study was bachelor degree holder or above. Almost one-third (30%) participants had a family income per month ranging between 31000 to 50000 rupees. There was no significance found between OHIP-14 scores with level of education and occupation where p-values were 0.256 & 0.075 respectively. The Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-14) is the most commonly used scale for measuring OHRQoL of pregnant women. Chi-Square test revealed statistical insignificance of OHIP-14 score with socioeconomic status/monthly income (p-value 0.79). Chi-Square test was applied to find significance between OHIP-14 score and area of living and 1st pregnancy where p-values were 0.514 & 0.479 respectively.

Conclusion: Socio-economic status do not has significant association and impact on oral health related quality of life of pregnant women. Providing dental services at a subsidized rate is the need of hour.

Published
2025-01-18
Section
Original Articles