The Effect of Infant Massage Education on Pregnant Women's Knowledge in the Pregnant Mothers' Class in Linggasari Village, Kembaran I Health Center Work Area

Abstract

Infant massage provides many benefits for infants and toddlers, such as strengthening the immune system, promoting relaxation, improving digestion and respiration, and aiding in better sleep. However, many parents, particularly pregnant women, are unaware that infant massage can be performed independently, often choosing traditional healers due to fear of doing it incorrectly. This study aims to evaluate the effect of infant massage education on the knowledge of pregnant women in a mothers' class. A One-Group Pretest and Posttest design was used. The population consisted of 59 pregnant women in the working area of Kembaran I Health Center, and the sample was purposively selected, comprising 18 women who attended the class in Linggasari Village. A questionnaire with 20 closed-ended questions was used for data collection. Data analysis involved univariate analysis to describe respondents' characteristics and bivariate analysis to assess knowledge differences before and after the education session. The Paired t-test results showed a significant increase in knowledge, with scores rising from 14.28 before the session to 17.28 afterward (p = 0.0001, p < 0.05). This demonstrates a substantial improvement in the mothers' knowledge due to the infant massage education. Healthcare providers, particularly midwives at the Kembaran I Health Center, play a crucial role in offering information and training on proper infant massage techniques, enabling pregnant women and community health volunteers to perform the massage independently.