THE IMPACT OF LEAFLET-BASED HEALTH EDUCATION ON MIDWIVES’ INNOVATION IN MIDWIFE–TRADITIONAL BIRTH ATTENDANT PARTNERSHIPS AND MATERNAL INTEREST IN UTILIZING MATERNITY HEALTH FACILITIES IN SERANG REGENCY, INDONESIA

Abstract

Background: Maternal and neonatal mortality remain critical public health issues in Indonesia, particularly in rural areas where home births with traditional birth attendants (dukun) are still common. The BIDURAN initiative—a collaborative partnership between midwives and traditional birth attendants—was introduced to address this challenge.

Objectives: This study aimed to assess the effect of health education delivered through leaflet media on pregnant women’s interest in delivering at health facilities within the context of the BIDURAN partnership.

Methods: A quasi-experimental one-group pretest-posttest design was used involving 32 third-trimester pregnant women at the Kopo Health Center, Serang Regency, Indonesia. Participants received structured health education through leaflets, and maternal interest in health facility-based delivery was measured before and after the intervention using a validated questionnaire. Data were analyzed using paired sample t-tests.

Results: Before the intervention, 50.0% of participants had moderate interest and 9.4% had high interest in giving birth at health facilities. After the intervention, 59.4% expressed high interest, and none remained in the low-interest category. There was a statistically significant increase in maternal interest scores post-intervention (mean difference = 2.65; p < 0.001).

Conclusion: Health education using leaflet media significantly increased maternal interest in health facility-based deliveries. This strategy, within the framework of the BIDURAN partnership, may be effective in promoting safer delivery practices and reducing maternal and neonatal mortality in culturally traditional communities.