Perceived strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats related to the utilization of oral health services among pre-conceptive married women before their first pregnancy in Kalutara District

Introduction: Utilization of oral health services during pre-conce ptive period is important for a woman to accomplish a healthy oral environment prior to her pregnancy.
Objectives: To describe the perceived strengths, weaknesses, oppor tunities and threats (SWOT) related to the utilization of oral health services among pre-conceptive married women before the ir first pregnancy in Kalutara District
Methods: In-depth interviews among pre-conceptive married wome n before their first pregnancy in Kalutara District were conducted using semi-structured interview guide. Purposive sampli ng method was used to select 18 study participants. Data were analysed manually using the thematic analysis method. The i nductive method was used to identify and generate codes and themes from the data itself. The theoretical perspective of qua litative data analysis carried out in this study was the ‘grounded theory approach’.
Results: Identified strength was knowledge on benefits of oral health  for the pregnancy and quality of life of women. Identified weaknesses were lack of motivation regarding oral health care seeki ng, lack of awareness that the pre-conception period is a crucial period for the oral health promotion among married women, f ear for dental treatment, myths related to the oral health and barriers related to attending dental clinics due to personal-level  factors. Identified opportunities were availability of oral health component in the Healthcare for Newly Wedded Programme  (HNWP), provision of the oral health education by the medical officer of health (MOH) office staff at the HNWP session s, help and guidance from the MOH office staff at the HNWP sessions to clarify oral health related issues, satisfactory pro vision of the government dental services, dental clinics in the MOH office premises and favourable working hours of the priva te dental clinics. Identified threats were barriers related to attending dental clinics due to service-related factors and lack of  information regarding the oral health component of the HNWP from peer groups.
Conclusions & Recommendations: Perceived SWOT related to t he oral health services among pre-conceptive married women were identified. These findings will be important to the poli cy makers and service providers to plan an effective oral health service for married women before their first pregnancy.