Description of the behavior and empowerment of pregnant women to detect early complications during pregnancy in Sigi Regency

Abstract

Introduction: women's empowerment is one strategy to improve the health status of mothers, children and families. The aim of the research is to describe the behavior of pregnant women in detecting pathologies and pregnancy emergencies as well as empowering the family.

Method: type of research is quantitative, descriptive. Respondents were 85 pregnant women who were selected according to previously determined criteria. The sampling technique is nonprobability sampling, with a total sample. The research locations were four community health centers in Sigi district which had the highest data on high-risk pregnancies, namely Marawola, Dolo, Kaleke, and Biromaru Community Health Centers. The research was conducted from June-October 2023. The research instrument used a questionnaire and educational media using a pocket book. Univariate data analysis uses proportions.

Results: data was obtained that the distribution of respondents from each community health center varied. Characteristics of respondents and husbands include the highest level of education, secondary education (46 people/54.2% vs 47 people/55.29%), the highest family income is <1.5 million rupiah per month (54 people/63.53%), low risk pregnancies (56 people/50.59%) and high risk (42 people/49, 41%). Information about danger signs from health workers (77 people/90.59%), and knowing about danger sign information (61 people/71.76%). There was an increase in scores between the posttest and pretest for knowledge (9.35), attitudes (25.91) and skills regarding danger signs (25.91) and empowerment (16.27).

Recommendation: prenatal class activities for pregnant women need to be held regularly involving husbands/families so that information can be conveyed. Midwives' competence in providing education is needed to improve the behavior of pregnant women and empower mothers in the family.