Maternal Health Care Utilization Behavior, Local Wisdom, and Associated Factors Among Women in Urban and Rural Areas, Indonesia

PURPOSE: Maternal mortality is one problem that still affects countries like Indonesia and others globally. The World Health Organization (WHO) notes that Southeast Asian countries have a high MMR. Indonesia’s maternal mortality ranks third highest in Southeast Asia, with a 177 maternal mortality rate per 100,000 live births in 2017. In 2018, the maternal mortality rate reached 91.45 per 100,000 live births. Pregnant women’s deaths can be caused inadequate medical care due to how frequently they seek treatment. This study intends to identify and analyze how knowledge, education, and myths affect pregnant women’s attitudes toward seeking health services. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study involved 175 pregnant and postpartum women who visited 10 health public centers in two cities in East Java by accidental sampling. Data regarding intrapersonal, interpersonal, and local wisdom were collected through surveys with structured instruments and in-depth interviews. Data statistics used pathway analysis with a p-value of >0.05. RESULTS: Intrapersonal, interpersonal, and local wisdom variables have a significant direct or indirect effect on utilizing health services. Knowledge was the variable with the greatest influence (t-value, 27.96). CONCLUSION: Myth and culture as local wisdom and intrapersonal factors significantly affect the pattern of utilizing health services.