Improve infrastructure and accessibility of health services

Oct 13, 2025 by windailys.com 111 views

Factors that Influence the Use of Antenatal Care Services in the Working Area of the Karang Rejo Health Center in Langkat Regency in 2017

Introduction

The high mortality rate and morbidity in mothers and infants are serious health problems in Indonesia. Antenatal care services (ANC) play a crucial role in preventing maternal death by detecting high-risk pregnancies. However, data from the Karang Rejo Health Center in Langkat Regency show that many mothers do not access ANC services regularly. This study aims to determine the factors that influence the use of antenatal care services in the working area of the Karang Rejo Health Center, Langkat Regency, in 2017.

Background

Maternal and infant mortality rates are significant public health concerns in Indonesia. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that pregnant women receive routine ANC services according to specified time standards. However, many mothers in Indonesia do not access these services, leading to poor health outcomes. Understanding the factors that influence the use of ANC services is essential to develop effective interventions to improve maternal and infant health.

Methodology

This study used an analytic survey method with a cross-sectional cutting approach. The population studied consisted of all postpartum mothers aged ≤3 months in November, totaling 53 people. The whole population was taken as a sample. The data obtained was then analyzed using a double logistics regression test with a confidence level of 95%.

Results

The results of the analysis showed that two variables had a significant effect on the use of antenatal care services: parity variables (p = 0.003 <0.05) and distance to health facilities (p = 0.004 <0.05). The more the number of children owned and the closer the distance to health services, the use of ANC services will also increase. Conversely, variables that do not show significant effects include knowledge, attitudes, education, income, support of health workers, and maternal health conditions.

Discussion

The parity factor can be understood as a result of the mother's experience in dealing with previous pregnancies. Mothers with high parity tend to better understand the importance of ANC services, so they are more active in utilizing these services. On the other hand, distance to health facilities is also a key factor; The closer the distance, the easier it is for pregnant women to access antenatal services. This shows the need for the government and health institutions to improve infrastructure and accessibility of health services, especially in remote areas.

Although knowledge and attitudes do not show significant influence, this is still important to consider. Effective extension programs can increase the knowledge of pregnant women about the importance of antenatal care, so that it has the potential to encourage them to use these services more often.

Implications for Health Services

From the results of this study, it is hoped that health workers can increase efforts in disseminating information about antenatal care services to the community. More intensive counseling, and increasing service accessibility, can be a strategic step in reducing maternal and infant mortality rates. That way, it is hoped that every pregnant woman can get optimal service, so that their health and babies can be maintained properly.

With a comprehensive approach to the factors that affect the use of antenatal care services, it is expected that the quality of health services in Langkat Regency can increase and be able to have a positive impact on overall public health.

Conclusion

This study highlights the importance of understanding the factors that influence the use of antenatal care services. The results of this study can inform the development of effective interventions to improve maternal and infant health in Langkat Regency. By increasing efforts in disseminating information about antenatal care services and improving service accessibility, health workers can play a crucial role in reducing maternal and infant mortality rates.

Recommendations

Based on the findings of this study, the following recommendations are made:

Improve infrastructure and accessibility of health services: The government and health institutions should improve infrastructure and accessibility of health services, especially in remote areas.
Increase efforts in disseminating information about antenatal care services: Health workers should increase efforts in disseminating information about antenatal care services to the community.
Develop effective extension programs: Effective extension programs can increase the knowledge of pregnant women about the importance of antenatal care, so that it has the potential to encourage them to use these services more often.
Increase service accessibility: Increasing service accessibility can be a strategic step in reducing maternal and infant mortality rates.

By implementing these recommendations, it is expected that the quality of health services in Langkat Regency can increase and have a positive impact on overall public health.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Factors that Influence the Use of Antenatal Care Services in the Working Area of the Karang Rejo Health Center in Langkat Regency in 2017

Q: What is the main objective of this study?

A: The main objective of this study is to determine the factors that influence the use of antenatal care services in the working area of the Karang Rejo Health Center, Langkat Regency, in 2017.

Q: What are the key findings of this study?

A: The key findings of this study are that parity variables (p = 0.003 <0.05) and distance to health facilities (p = 0.004 <0.05) have a significant effect on the use of antenatal care services. The more the number of children owned and the closer the distance to health services, the use of ANC services will also increase.

Q: What is the significance of parity variables in this study?

A: The parity factor can be understood as a result of the mother's experience in dealing with previous pregnancies. Mothers with high parity tend to better understand the importance of ANC services, so they are more active in utilizing these services.

Q: What is the significance of distance to health facilities in this study?

A: Distance to health facilities is also a key factor; The closer the distance, the easier it is for pregnant women to access antenatal services. This shows the need for the government and health institutions to improve infrastructure and accessibility of health services, especially in remote areas.

Q: What are the implications of this study for health services?

A: From the results of this study, it is hoped that health workers can increase efforts in disseminating information about antenatal care services to the community. More intensive counseling, and increasing service accessibility, can be a strategic step in reducing maternal and infant mortality rates.

Q: What are the recommendations of this study?

A: Based on the findings of this study, the following recommendations are made:

Improve infrastructure and accessibility of health services: The government and health institutions should improve infrastructure and accessibility of health services, especially in remote areas.
Increase efforts in disseminating information about antenatal care services: Health workers should increase efforts in disseminating information about antenatal care services to the community.
Develop effective extension programs: Effective extension programs can increase the knowledge of pregnant women about the importance of antenatal care, so that it has the potential to encourage them to use these services more often.
Increase service accessibility: Increasing service accessibility can be a strategic step in reducing maternal and infant mortality rates.

Q: What are the limitations of this study?

A: The limitations of this study include the small sample size and the cross-sectional design, which may not capture the full range of factors that influence the use of antenatal care services.

Q: What are the future directions for this study?

A: Future directions for this study include conducting a larger-scale study with a more diverse sample, using a longitudinal design to capture the dynamic nature of the factors that influence the use of antenatal care services, and exploring the impact of policy interventions on the use of antenatal care services.

Q: What are the implications of this study for policy and practice?

A: The findings of this study have implications for policy and practice, including the need for improved infrastructure and accessibility of health services, increased efforts in disseminating information about antenatal care services, and the development of effective extension programs to increase the knowledge of pregnant women about the importance of antenatal care.