Local Genius of Enggano People in Handling Antenatal Care

Abstract

Kesehatan Ibu dan Anak/ KIA (Maternal and child health) problems in Indonesia until 2018 have not been resolved, the birth rate is still relatively high, the infant mortality, maternal mortality, and stillbirth rate are still the highest compared to neighboring countries in Southeast Asia. Various problems becoming the obstacles in eradicating KIA problems at regional levels especially in remote areas are the issue of uneven distribution of health workers, the facilities and infrastructure, lacking transportation facilities, social and economic conditions of the community, local cultural values ​​that hinder, and others. In 2017, the level of utilization of non-medical services for antenatal care and labor still occurred in Enggano Islands, and in the same year, there were also found cases of neonatal, infant, and maternal mortality. This study used a qualitative method with an ethnographic approach. The informants were 13 people chosen by purposive sampling technique. The data collection techniques to collect field data were non-participant observation with direct observation of the local genius of the community on antenatal care service activities, in-depth interviews, and documentation studies.  Data analysis has started since the process of classification, data categories between documentation data and the interview data, and observations on the cultural and social components as the forming elements and sources of the local genius of the Enggano community. Based on the results of the research and discussion, it can be concluded that the local genius of the people on Enggano Islands regarding antenatal care is the same as traditional antenatal care activities in other communities in general, namely: massage, traditional herbal ingredients (the herbal ingredients are the same as those in other regions), there were no specific characteristics existed in the research location. The services provided by dukun bayi (traditional birth attendants) as the local potential are the same as those provided by birth attendants in general in other regions. The difference is that some dukun bayi do not want to work side by side with the midwife (traditional birth attendants and midwives in partnership). Also, some birth attendants do not use supernatural methods in handling antenatal and labor; some dukun bayi simply do not use spells, incantations, amulets, or other magical forms to protect pregnant women from evil spirits.

DOI: 10.7176/RHSS/10-24-10

Publication date: December 31^st 2020