Improve access to ANC services

Oct 13, 2025 by leolavanderia.com.br 52 views

Effect of Mother's Characteristics and Antenatal Care Services (ANC) on the Incidence of Low Birth Weight Babies (BBLR) in Bukit Rata Village, Youth Hurry District, Aceh Tamiang Regency in 2013

Introduction

Low birth weight (LBW) is a significant public health concern worldwide, including in developing countries like Indonesia. Babies born with low body weight (BBLR) are at a higher risk of mortality and morbidity, and their health outcomes can have long-lasting effects on their physical and mental development. Various factors can contribute to LBW events, including the characteristics of mothers and the quality of antenatal care (ANC) services. This study aims to investigate the effect of mother's characteristics and ANC services on the incidence of BBLR in Bukit Rata Village, Youth Hurry District, Aceh Tamiang Regency in 2013.

Background

LBW is defined as a birth weight of less than 2500 grams. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that approximately 15% of all births worldwide are LBW, with the majority occurring in developing countries. In Indonesia, the prevalence of LBW is estimated to be around 10-15%. Various factors can contribute to LBW events, including the characteristics of mothers such as age, education, parity, and birth intervals. Additionally, good ANC services play a crucial role in preventing LBW by providing pregnant women with essential health checks, counseling, and interventions to promote healthy pregnancy outcomes.

Methodology

This study employed an observational design with a cross-sectional approach. The research sample consisted of 172 mothers who gave birth in the working area of Bukit Rata Village from January to April 2013. A simple random sampling technique was used to select 153 samples from the total sample. The data obtained were analyzed using the Chi-Square test and multiple logistic regression.

Results

The results of this study showed that the incidence of LBW in Bukit Rata Village was 11.1%. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that the birth distance factor (p = 0.027) and the number of ANC visits (p = 0.042) had a significant effect on LBW events. The Exp (B) value for birth spacing of 3,386 indicates that pregnant women with a birth distance of less than 24 months have a three times greater possibility of giving birth to babies with LBW. Additionally, the Exp (B) value for ANC services of 8,496 indicates that pregnant women who do not receive good ANC services have an 8,496 times greater possibility of giving birth to babies with LBW.

Discussion

The findings of this study highlight the importance of mother's characteristics and ANC services in preventing LBW events. The results suggest that pregnant women with a birth distance of less than 24 months and those who do not receive good ANC services are at a higher risk of giving birth to babies with LBW. These findings are consistent with previous studies that have shown that short birth intervals and inadequate ANC services are associated with an increased risk of LBW.

Conclusion

The results of this study emphasize the need for health workers in Bukit Rata Village and surrounding areas to provide easy access to pregnant women to receive good ANC services. Counseling about the importance of health checks during pregnancy and the use of long-term contraceptives for birth distance regulation is also essential. By increasing the awareness and knowledge of mothers about reproductive health, it is expected to reduce the incidence of LBW in the area. Provision of optimal ANC services and sustainable education is an important step to ensure the health of mothers and infants, as well as improving the quality of future generations.

Recommendations

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

Improve access to ANC services: Health workers in Bukit Rata Village and surrounding areas should provide easy access to pregnant women to receive good ANC services.
Counseling and education: Counseling about the importance of health checks during pregnancy and the use of long-term contraceptives for birth distance regulation is essential.
Increase awareness and knowledge: By increasing the awareness and knowledge of mothers about reproductive health, it is expected to reduce the incidence of LBW in the area.
Provision of optimal ANC services: Provision of optimal ANC services and sustainable education is an important step to ensure the health of mothers and infants, as well as improving the quality of future generations.

Limitations

This study has several limitations, including:

Small sample size: The sample size of this study was relatively small, which may limit the generalizability of the findings.
Cross-sectional design: The cross-sectional design of this study may not allow for the establishment of causality between the variables.
Limited data collection: The data collection for this study was limited to a specific period and location, which may not be representative of the broader population.

Future Research Directions

Future research should aim to:

Investigate the effect of other factors: Other factors that may contribute to LBW events, such as maternal nutrition and socioeconomic status, should be investigated.
Develop and implement interventions: Interventions that aim to improve ANC services and reduce the incidence of LBW should be developed and implemented.
Conduct longitudinal studies: Longitudinal studies that follow pregnant women and their babies over time should be conducted to establish the long-term effects of ANC services on LBW outcomes.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the Effect of Mother's Characteristics and Antenatal Care Services (ANC) on the Incidence of Low Birth Weight Babies (BBLR)

Q: What is low birth weight (LBW)?

A: Low birth weight (LBW) is a birth weight of less than 2500 grams. Babies born with LBW are at a higher risk of mortality and morbidity, and their health outcomes can have long-lasting effects on their physical and mental development.

Q: What are the risk factors for LBW?

A: Various factors can contribute to LBW events, including the characteristics of mothers such as age, education, parity, and birth intervals. Additionally, good antenatal care (ANC) services play a crucial role in preventing LBW by providing pregnant women with essential health checks, counseling, and interventions to promote healthy pregnancy outcomes.

Q: What is the significance of ANC services in preventing LBW?

A: ANC services are essential in preventing LBW by providing pregnant women with essential health checks, counseling, and interventions to promote healthy pregnancy outcomes. Good ANC services can help identify and manage potential complications during pregnancy, reducing the risk of LBW.

Q: What are the key findings of this study?

A: The key findings of this study include:

The incidence of LBW in Bukit Rata Village was 11.1%.
Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that the birth distance factor (p = 0.027) and the number of ANC visits (p = 0.042) had a significant effect on LBW events.
Pregnant women with a birth distance of less than 24 months have a three times greater possibility of giving birth to babies with LBW.
Pregnant women who do not receive good ANC services have an 8,496 times greater possibility of giving birth to babies with LBW.

Q: What are the implications of this study?

A: The findings of this study highlight the importance of mother's characteristics and ANC services in preventing LBW events. The results suggest that pregnant women with a birth distance of less than 24 months and those who do not receive good ANC services are at a higher risk of giving birth to babies with LBW. These findings are consistent with previous studies that have shown that short birth intervals and inadequate ANC services are associated with an increased risk of LBW.

Q: What are the recommendations based on this study?

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

Improve access to ANC services: Health workers in Bukit Rata Village and surrounding areas should provide easy access to pregnant women to receive good ANC services.
Counseling and education: Counseling about the importance of health checks during pregnancy and the use of long-term contraceptives for birth distance regulation is essential.
Increase awareness and knowledge: By increasing the awareness and knowledge of mothers about reproductive health, it is expected to reduce the incidence of LBW in the area.
Provision of optimal ANC services: Provision of optimal ANC services and sustainable education is an important step to ensure the health of mothers and infants, as well as improving the quality of future generations.

Q: What are the limitations of this study?

A: This study has several limitations, including:

Small sample size: The sample size of this study was relatively small, which may limit the generalizability of the findings.
Cross-sectional design: The cross-sectional design of this study may not allow for the establishment of causality between the variables.
Limited data collection: The data collection for this study was limited to a specific period and location, which may not be representative of the broader population.

Q: What are the future research directions?

A: Future research should aim to:

Investigate the effect of other factors: Other factors that may contribute to LBW events, such as maternal nutrition and socioeconomic status, should be investigated.
Develop and implement interventions: Interventions that aim to improve ANC services and reduce the incidence of LBW should be developed and implemented.
Conduct longitudinal studies: Longitudinal studies that follow pregnant women and their babies over time should be conducted to establish the long-term effects of ANC services on LBW outcomes.