Assessing the impact of prenatal education on maternal birth preparedness and complication readiness: A quasi-experimental approach in Jember Regency

Abstract

Background: Maternal mortality remains a global priority issue, caused mainly by pregnancy-related complications that are not managed promptly and appropriately. The working area of Panti Public Health Center, Jember Regency, showed high coverage of obstetric complications during 2022–2024, 56%, 77%, and 52%. The implementation of Birth Preparedness and Complication Readiness (BPCR) is an essential strategy to reduce the high incidence of pregnancy complications.Objectives: This study aimed to analyze the effect of prenatal education on BPCR practices among pregnant women in the working area of Panti Public Health Center, Jember Regency.Methods: This quasi-experimental study employed a pre-test and post-test design with a control group. The study sample comprised 30 pregnant women in the early third trimester, equally distributed between the intervention and control groups, selected through simple random sampling. Data were collected using the JHPIEGO questionnaire and observation sheets. Data analysis was performed using the chi- square test, with p-values < 0.05.Results: Before the prenatal education intervention, BPCR practices in both the intervention and control groups showed a similar level of readiness, with no statistically significant difference (χ² = 0.000; p = 1.000). After the intervention, the intervention group experienced a substantially greater improvement in good BPCR practices, from 43.3% to 90.0%, compared to the control group, which increased only from 43.3% to 50.0%. Post-intervention statistical analysis indicated that prenatal education had a significant effect on BPCR practices (χ² = 11.429; p = 0.002), with women who received prenatal education more likely to achieve good BPCR practices.Conclusions: Prenatal education significantly improves BPCR practices among pregnant women, as evidenced by a significant difference in post-test results. The intervention should be implemented continuously through third-trimester maternal classes, with particular emphasis on BPCR components that remain suboptimal, especially planning for potential blood donors.