Nutrient intake, oral symptoms, and oral health-related quality of life among antenatal mothers in Sarawak

Tiong, Ing Teck and Ruhaya Hasan, . and Norkhafizah Saddki, . and Tham, Hui Ling (2023) Nutrient intake, oral symptoms, and oral health-related quality of life among antenatal mothers in Sarawak. Malaysian Journal of Nutrition (Malaysia), 29 (3). pp. 441-452. ISSN 1394 – 035X

Introduction: This study aimed to determine the association between nutrient intake, oral symptoms, and oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) among antenatal mothers in the Sri Aman district, Sarawak. Methods: A total of 124 antenatal mothers in the second and third trimesters, through systematic random sampling, participated in this cross-sectional study. A validated selfadministered questionnaire was used to collect their socioeconomic and obstetric profiles, perceived oral health status, and OHRQoL. Three days 24-hour diet recall assessment involving two weekdays and one weekend day was used for nutrient intake assessment. Results: Most mothers (75.0%) had at least one oral symptom: cavitated tooth (51.6%), bleeding gum (32.3%), halitosis (27.4%), gum pain (13.7%), toothache (12.1%), and swollen gum (6.5%). Most mothers also had inadequate intakes of energy, vitamin D, iodine, calcium, zinc, fluoride, and iron. The most affected OHRQoL domain was psychological discomfort, followed by functional limitation and physical pain. Nutrient intake was not significantly different between antenatal mothers with and without oral symptoms. Antenatal mothers with at least one oral symptom, presence of toothache, cavitated tooth, bleeding gum, and halitosis had significantly lower OHRQoL. Conclusion: Most antenatal mothers had inadequate nutrient intake, particularly vitamin D and calcium. Nutrient intake was not significantly associated with oral symptoms. The oral symptoms of dental caries and periodontal disease were prevalent; and the presence of toothache, cavitated tooth, bleeding gum, and halitosis were associated with poor OHRQoL.

Full text available from: Official URL: https://www.nutriweb.org.my/mjn/publication/29-3/V...

Abstract

Introduction: This study aimed to determine the association between nutrient intake, oral symptoms, and oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) among antenatal mothers in the Sri Aman district, Sarawak. Methods: A total of 124 antenatal mothers in the second and third trimesters, through systematic random sampling, participated in this cross-sectional study. A validated selfadministered questionnaire was used to collect their socioeconomic and obstetric profiles, perceived oral health status, and OHRQoL. Three days 24-hour diet recall assessment involving two weekdays and one weekend day was used for nutrient intake assessment. Results: Most mothers (75.0%) had at least one oral symptom: cavitated tooth (51.6%), bleeding gum (32.3%), halitosis (27.4%), gum pain (13.7%), toothache (12.1%), and swollen gum (6.5%). Most mothers also had inadequate intakes of energy, vitamin D, iodine, calcium, zinc, fluoride, and iron. The most affected OHRQoL domain was psychological discomfort, followed by functional limitation and physical pain. Nutrient intake was not significantly different between antenatal mothers with and without oral symptoms. Antenatal mothers with at least one oral symptom, presence of toothache, cavitated tooth, bleeding gum, and halitosis had significantly lower OHRQoL. Conclusion: Most antenatal mothers had inadequate nutrient intake, particularly vitamin D and calcium. Nutrient intake was not significantly associated with oral symptoms. The oral symptoms of dental caries and periodontal disease were prevalent; and the presence of toothache, cavitated tooth, bleeding gum, and halitosis were associated with poor OHRQoL.

[error in script]

Item Type:	Article
AGROVOC Term:	nutrients
AGROVOC Term:	vitamin D
AGROVOC Term:	calcium
AGROVOC Term:	iron
AGROVOC Term:	data collection
AGROVOC Term:	pregnant women
AGROVOC Term:	dental caries
AGROVOC Term:	halitosis
AGROVOC Term:	diet
AGROVOC Term:	quality of life
Geographical Term:	Malaysia
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Antenatal mothers, Nutrient intake, Oral symptoms, Oral Health, Quality of Life
Depositing User:	Ms. Azariah Hashim
Date Deposited:	16 Jun 2026 01:55
Last Modified:	16 Jun 2026 01:55
URI:	http://webagris.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/3614

Actions (login required)

View Item