Jurnal Info Kesehatan
Vol 24 No 2 (2026): JURNAL INFO KESEHATAN

Association between Oral Hygiene Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices and OHI-S among Pregnant Women: A Cross-Sectional Study

Sadimin Sadimin (Department of Dental Health, Health Polytechnic of Semarang, Semarang, Central Java, Indonesia)
Hermien Nugraheni (Department of Dental Health, Health Polytechnic of Semarang, Semarang, Central Java, Indonesia)
Diyah Fatmasari (Department of Dental Health, Health Polytechnic of Semarang, Semarang, Central Java, Indonesia)
Agnes Lia Renata (Department of Dental Health, Health Polytechnic of Semarang, Semarang, Central Java, Indonesia)
Fitri Kusumasari (Faculty of Health Science, Universidade Dili, Dili, Timor Leste)



Article Info

Publish Date
29 Jun 2026

Abstract

Pregnant women are at increased risk of oral health problems, including dental caries and gingivitis. This study aimed to examine the association between oral hygiene knowledge, attitudes, and practices and oral hygiene status among pregnant women attending antenatal care at Sragi Health Center, Pekalongan Regency, Indonesia. A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted among 124 pregnant women selected using accidental sampling. Data on oral health knowledge, attitudes, and practices were collected using a structured questionnaire comprising 10 items per domain. Oral hygiene status was assessed using the Simplified Oral Hygiene Index (OHI-S). Associations between behavioral variables and OHI-S categories (good, moderate, poor) were analyzed using Kendall's Tau-B. Most participants had primary-level education (58%), good knowledge (58%), good attitudes (65%), and poor oral health practices (65%). Most respondents showed a moderate OHI-S status (61%). No significant association was found between educational level and OHI-S (p = 0.655). Significant associations were observed between knowledge and OHI-S (p = 0.017), attitudes and OHI-S (p = 0.010), and practices and OHI-S (p = 0.032). Knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to oral health were associated with oral hygiene status among pregnant women, whereas educational level was not significantly associated with OHI-S.       

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Journal Info

Abbrev

infokes

Publisher

Subject

Biochemistry, Genetics & Molecular Biology Chemistry Dentistry Health Professions Immunology & microbiology

Description

Jurnal Info Kesehatan with registered number ISSN 0216-504X (Print), 2620-536X (Online) is a scientific journal which managed by the Research and Community Service Unit, Politeknik Kesehatan Kemenkes Kupang in cooperation with Indonesian Oral Health and Therapists Association with the MoU. The ...