Table 3 Comparisons of the profiles of mothers who visited dentist during the current pregnancy (n = 36) with those who did not (n = 88)
Variables | Dental visit | χ2statistics (df) | p value | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Â | Yes (%) n = 36 | No (%) n = 88 | Â | Â |
Age (years) | Â | Â | Â | Â |
   ≤35 | 25 (69.4) | 67 (76.1) | 0.598 (1) | 0.440 |
   > 35 | 11 (30.6) | 21 (23.9) |  |  |
Ethnic group | Â | Â | Â | Â |
   Malay | 35 (97.2) | 82 (93.2) | - | 0.672a |
   Others | 1 (2.8) | 6 (6.8) |  |  |
Highest educational level | Â | Â | Â | Â |
   Secondary | 19 (52.8) | 38 (43.2) | 3.810 (2) | 0.149 |
   Post-secondary/Diploma | 6 (16.7) | 30 (34.1) |  |  |
   Tertiary | 11 (30.6) | 20 (22.7) |  |  |
Household income (Malaysian Ringgit) | Â | Â | Â | Â |
   <3000 | 25 (69.4) | 61 (69.3) | 0.331 (2) | 0.848 |
   3001-5000 | 8 (22.2) | 17 (19.3) |  |  |
   >5000 | 3 (8.3) | 10 (11.4) |  |  |
Employment status | Â | Â | Â | Â |
   No | 12 (33.3) | 30 (34.1) | 0.007 (1) | 0.936 |
   Yes | 24 (66.7) | 58 (65.9) |  |  |
Period of gestation (weeks) | Â | Â | Â | Â |
   28-32 | 15 (41.7) | 36 (40.9) | 0.440 (2) | 0.803 |
   33-37 | 12 (33.3) | 34 (38.6) |  |  |
   >37 | 9 (25.0) | 18 (20.5) |  |  |
Gravida status | Â | Â | Â | Â |
   Primigravida | 10 (27.8) | 24 (27.3) | 0.003 (1) | 0.954 |
   Multigravida | 26 (72.2) | 64 (72.7) |  |  |
Oral health status | Â | Â | Â | Â |
   Fair | 13 (36.1) | 25 (28.4) | 0.713 (1) | 0.398 |
   Very good/good | 23 (63.9) | 63 (71.6) |  |  |
Self-reported oral health problem | Â | Â | Â | Â |
   None | 11 (30.6) | 39 (44.3) | 2.375 (2) | 0.305 |
   One problem | 12 (33.3) | 27 (30.7) |  |  |
   Two or more problems | 13 (36.1) | 22 (25.0) |  |  |
Oral health education received before the current pregnancy | Â | Â | Â | Â |
   No | 17 (47.2) | 72 (81.8) | 15.094 (1) | <0.001 |
   Yes | 19 (52.8) | 16 (18.2) |  |  |
Aware of relationship between maternal oral health and pregnancy outcomes | Â | Â | Â | Â |
   No | 6 (16.7) | 42 (47.7) | 10.389 (1) | 0.001 |
   Yes | 30 (83.3) | 46 (52.3) |  |  |
Aware of free dental services in government clinics | Â | Â | Â | Â |
   No | 11 (30.6) | 42 (47.7) | 3.078 (1) | 0.079 |
   Yes | 25 (69.4) | 46 (52.3) |  |  |
Distance to nearest dental clinic (km) | Â | Â | Â | Â |
   ≤5 | 20 (55.6) | 60 (68.2) | 1.779 (1) | 0.182 |
   >5 | 16 (44.4) | 28 (31.8) |  |  |
Accessibility to the nearest dental clinic | Â | Â | Â | Â |
   Difficult | 2 (5.6) | 6 (6.8) | 0.102 (2) | 0.950 |
   Easy | 26 (72.2) | 64 (72.7) |  |  |
   Very easy | 8 (22.2) | 18 (20.5) |  |  |