Nivel de conocimiento en salud bucal e índice de higiene oral en gestantes atendidas en la IPRESS I-3 San Antonio entre marzo y agosto 2025

Abstract

El objetivo de esta investigación consistió en verificar la relación existente entre el nivel de conocimientos sobre salud bucal y la higiene oral que presentaban las embarazadas que acudieron a la IPRESS I-3 San Antonio en el periodo que va desde marzo hasta agosto del año 2025. Se llevó a cabo este tipo de investigación de carácter descriptivo, correlacional y transversal en una muestra compuesta por 117 señoras embarazadas. Para poder conocer el grado de higiene bucal de las participantes de la investigación, se utilizó el Índice de Higiene Oral Simplificado (IHOS) y un cuestionario estructurado que evaluaba los conocimientos sobre salud oral. Los resultados indicaron que el 65,0% de las embarazadas se apreció un nivel de conocimientos bajo, el 24,8% un nivel regular y un 10,3% un nivel alto, cuyo valor medio de la escala empleada fue de 10,08. Del IHOS se observó que el 38,5% de las mujeres embarazadas tenían un nivel bajo de higiene oral, el 59,0% un nivel regular y el 2,6% un nivel alto, cuyo promedio alcanzó un valor de 3,2. El análisis estadístico mediante la técnica de Chi-cuadrado (χ² = 29,715; p < 0,001) indicaron una asociación significativa, evidenciando que las mujeres embarazadas con niveles de conocimientos bajos tendían a tener una deficiente higiene bucal. Se logra concluir que las mujeres embarazadas analizadas tienen graves limitaciones sobre la salud de su boca, lo que enfatiza la necesidad de implementar programas educativos sobre el reforzamiento de conocimientos y de hábitos preventivos del control prenatal, principalmente adaptados al contexto amazónico.The objective of this research was to verify the relationship between the level of oral health knowledge and oral hygiene among pregnant women attending the IPRESS I-3 San Antonio health center between March and August 2025. This descriptive, correlational, and cross-sectional study was conducted with a sample of 117 pregnant women. To determine the participants' level of oral hygiene, the Simplified Oral Hygiene Index (OHI) and a structured questionnaire assessing oral health knowledge were used. The results indicated that 65.0% of the pregnant women demonstrated a low level of knowledge, 24.8% a moderate level, and 10.3% a high level, with a mean score of 10.08 on the scale. The IHOS revealed that 38.5% of pregnant women had a low level of oral hygiene, 59.0% a regular level, and 2.6% a high level, with an average score of 3.2. Statistical analysis using the Chi-square test (χ² = 29.715; p < 0.001) indicated a significant association, demonstrating that pregnant women with low levels of knowledge tended to have poor oral hygiene. It may thus be inferred that the pregnant women evaluated, had a poor knowledge of their oral health, and that it is necessary to create educational programmes aimed at reinforcing knowledge and habits of prevention regarding pre-natal care, taking into account the reality of the ecosystem of the Amazon. Level of knowledge, Ferrous sulfate, Oral Hygiene Index, nd Oral hygiene.The objective of this research was to verify the relationship between the level of oral health knowledge and oral hygiene among pregnant women attending the IPRESS I-3 San Antonio health center between March and August 2025. This descriptive, correlational, and cross-sectional study was conducted with a sample of 117 pregnant women. To determine the participants' level of oral hygiene, the Simplified Oral Hygiene Index (OHI) and a structured questionnaire assessing oral health knowledge were used. The results indicated that 65.0% of the pregnant women demonstrated a low level of knowledge, 24.8% a moderate level, and 10.3% a high level, with a mean score of 10.08 on the scale. The IHOS revealed that 38.5% of pregnant women had a low level of oral hygiene, 59.0% a regular level, and 2.6% a high level, with an average score of 3.2. Statistical analysis using the Chi-square test (χ² = 29.715; p < 0.001) indicated a significant association, demonstrating that pregnant women with low levels of knowledge tended to have poor oral hygiene. It may thus be inferred that the pregnant women evaluated, had a poor knowledge of their oral health, and that it is necessary to create educational programmes aimed at reinforcing knowledge and habits of prevention regarding pre-natal care, taking into account the reality of the ecosystem of the Amazon. Level of knowledge, Ferrous sulfate, Oral Hygiene Index, nd Oral hygiene.