An Investigation into the Predictors of Behavior Promoting Oral and Dental Health in Pregnant Women Based on the Health Belief Model (HBM)

Introdouction: Oral and dental health is viewed as one of the most important domains of public health, which is of over riding importance among mothers who, with regard to their role in maintaining their health and their children’s health, are considered one of the vulnerable groups. Materials and Methods: This is a cross-sectional study in which 110 pregnant mothers referring to 15 Health Treatment Centers of Rasht (totally 33 centers) were randomly selected. The data were collected by distributing a questionnaire with items on awareness, different dimensions of the Health Belief Model (HBM), and practices in relation to oral and dental health care. The data were then analyzed. Results: Findings showed that the mean practice score of mothers on “the practice of oral and dental health care by pregnant women” was 37.5±15.9 in relation to oral and dental health care for pregnant women. Awareness (ß = 0.382) and among the structures of the Health Belief Model, perceived sensitivity (ß = −0.263) and perceived obstacles (ß = −0.367) were the most significant predicting factors of behavior of oral and dental health in pregnant women. These variables indicated 20% variance for oral and dental health care behavior. Conclusion: This study indicated the efficiency of the health belief model (HBM) in predicting behavior promoting oral and dental health among pregnant mothers.