Knowledge of pregnant women about the neonatal tongue screening test

Abstract Introduction The early diagnosis and treatment of ankyloglossia in infants favors the adequate development of orofacial functions. The knowledge about the tongue screening test (TL) may disseminate its realization. Objective The aim of this study was to verify the knowledge about the neonatal tongue screening test (TL) and its relation with the sociodemographic profile of pregnant women. Materials and method A total of 427 pregnant women receiving prenatal care at a school hospital in southern Brazil from May to December 2017 were investigated. The information was collected through an individual questionnaire containing information about the pregnant woman's sociodemographic profile and gestational characteristics and knowledge about the TL. Data were analyzed by descriptive statistics and the associations performed with the chi-square test. Result The results showed that 33 (7.7%) of the pregnant women knew and 45 (10.5%) had misinformation about the TL. Pregnant women with higher education (p=0.028) and higher family income (p=0.002) were more likely to know the test. Nursing professionals were the main providers of the information (64.1%). Conclusion It is possible to conclude that the knowledge of pregnant women about the TL is superficial, especially among those with lower schooling and income, and it emphasizes the need for public strategies focused on improving health care offered to the mother-baby binomial.

**摘要**
**引言** 婴幼儿舌系带过短（ankyloglossia）的早期诊疗，有利于口颌面功能的正常发育。普及舌筛查试验（tongue screening test, TL）相关知识，可推动该检测的临床开展。
**研究目的** 本研究旨在明确孕产妇对新生儿舌筛查试验（TL）的认知情况，及其与孕妇社会人口学特征的关联。
**材料与方法** 2017年5月至12月，对巴西南部某校属医院接受产前检查的427名孕妇开展调查。通过个体化问卷收集研究数据，问卷内容涵盖孕妇社会人口学特征、妊娠相关情况以及对TL的认知程度。数据采用描述性统计方法进行分析，组间关联性检验采用卡方检验。
**结果** 结果显示，33名孕妇（7.7%）知晓该试验，另有45名孕妇（10.5%）对TL存在认知偏差。受教育程度较高（p=0.028）、家庭收入更高的孕妇，对该试验的知晓率显著更高。护理人员是该信息的主要传播来源（64.1%）。
**结论** 本研究表明，孕产妇对TL的认知普遍较为肤浅，在低学历、低收入群体中尤为突出，这凸显了制定公共卫生策略、优化母婴保健服务的必要性。