Evaluating Instrument For Assessing Maternal Need Of Dental Health Program With Low-Income Attributes Among Javanese And Madurese Tribe: A Cross-Sectional Study

Aim: Poor public health services are one of the reasons behind the high maternal mortality rate. Meanwhile, the prevalence of gingivitis in Indonesia shows 96.58% in all circles, including pregnant women. Complications of pregnancy that have been associated with periodontal disease include preeclampsia. The study was aimed to develop and analyze the psychometric features of an instrument that evaluate women in their pregnancy behavioral factors regarding their need of dental program by applying the Lawrence-Green's behavioral theory in the two biggest tribes in East Java. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study with analytical approach. This study was conducted among 187 pregnant women in Purworejo (representing Javanese tribe) and village Omben (representing Madurese tribe), East Java Province, Indonesia. The sample was obtained by simple random sampling technique. They were asked to fill out the questionnaire tested, which contains 46-item questions based on Lawrence-Green's theory. The data obtained were then tested for validity and reliability using confirmatory factor analysis and linear regression analysis. Results: From the 46 items, the final Lawrence-Green-based questionnaire with 11 items was associated with individual needs of dental health program (P = 0.001 and B = 0.4). The overall Cronbach alpha was 0.78 and intraclass correlation coefficient ranged between 0.84 and 0.99. Conclusion: This questionnaire may identify the need of dental health program in pregnant women with low income attributes.