Abstract
Objective
This study explored women's 1) experiences in accessing, understanding, appraising,
and applying oral health information and services, and 2) preferences regarding oral
health promotion during pregnancy.
Methods
Pregnant women ages 18 to 45 were recruited from an obstetrics and gynecology clinic
at a large university hospital. Focus groups were conducted using the four domains
of the integrated model of health literacy (access, understand, appraise, apply) and
were audio-recorded and professionally transcribed. Thematic analysis was employed
using Atlas.ti.
Results
Participants (n = 17) were Hispanic (53%), married (67%), college educated (87%), employed (80%),
and insured (100%). Most participants reported not accessing or receiving oral health
information during pregnancy, with limited information received from less trustworthy
sources (Internet; friends/family) and focusing on symptoms or myths. Participants
revealed gaps in basic oral health understanding and demonstrated limited ability
to evaluate or apply information, such as engaging in positive oral health behaviors,
according to their needs and personal health status. Participants strongly desired
that oral health promotion be integrated into prenatal care.
Conclusions
Participants described missed opportunities to improve oral health literacy and desire
future health messages that facilitate patient–provider communication on oral health
during prenatal care visits. Future health interventions should convey the importance
and associated risks, be time efficient and patient centered, and include patient
activation to prompt oral health–seeking behaviors during pregnancy.
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Biography
Cheryl A. Vamos, PhD, MPH, is an assistant professor at the University of South Florida's College of Public Health and Fellow in the Chiles Center. Her specialization includes reproductive health, family planning, and health literacy.
Biography
Laura Merrell, PhD, MPH, CPH, is an assistant professor at James Madison University's Department of Health Sciences. Her research areas include health literacy, oral health, sexual and reproductive health, and health behaviors.
Biography
Taylor A. Livingston, PhD, IBCLC, is a postdoctoral scholar within the Center of Excellence in MCH Education, Science, and Practice, University of South Florida, College of Public Health. Her specializations include breastfeeding and its intersections with current political, economic, and cultural realms.
Biography
Emanuelle Dias, BA, is a Master of Public Health Candidate and graduate research assistant at the University of South Florida's College of Public Health. Her research interests include minority health and implementation science/quality improvement efforts.
Biography
Linda Detman, PhD, is a research associate, an assistant director for the Chiles Center, and program manager for the Florida Perinatal Quality Collaborative at the University of South Florida's College of Public Health. Her specialization includes health services research evaluation.
Biography
Judette Louis, MD, MPH, is associate professor and interim chair, Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of South Florida's College of Medicine and College of Public Health. Her research interests include maternal morbidity/mortality, pregnancy as a window to cardiovascular health, and obstructive sleep apnea.
Biography
Ellen Daley, PhD, MPH, is professor and associate dean, research, practice, and doctoral training, and senior fellow, Chiles Center, University of South Florida's College of Public Health. Her specialization includes women's health, sexuality education, sexually transmitted disease prevention, and contraceptive use.
Article info
Publication history
Published online: June 21, 2019
Accepted:
May 16,
2019
Received in revised form:
May 7,
2019
Received:
October 10,
2018
Footnotes
Conflicts of Interest: The authors have no conflicts of interest to report.
This work was supported by a University of South Florida Health (USF Health) Women's Health Collaborative Research Award.
Identification
Copyright
© 2019 Jacobs Institute of Women's Health. Published by Elsevier Inc.
