Factors Related to Self-Care Behavior among Pregnant Women in Garut District, Indonesia

Abstract

Background: Self-care behavior can prevent health problems during pregnancy and childbirth. Many factors have been found relating to self-care behavior. The purpose of this study was to assess factors related to self-care behavior among pregnant women.

Methods: This study used cross-sectional design and multistage sampling technique. Participants included 263 pregnant women in Garut District, Indonesia. Data were collected during October 2014 by using self-administered questionnaire. Mean score, standard deviation, and Pearson’s product-moment correlation were employed for data analysis.

Results: The results showed that most of participants (72.3%) were between 20 and 34 years old (mean = 27.7 year, SD = 6.37 year). The majority of the participants (89.7%) had at least junior high school education. Out of this number, 20% had diploma and university degree. The mean of gestational age of this group was 5.5 months with SD 2.2 month and the average number of antenatal care (ANC) visit was 4.1 times with SD 2.5 times. Most participants had an income less than 1.5 million rupiah (65.4%). The average income per month was IDR 1,185,897 rupiah (SD = IDR 857,529). Positive correlations were found between knowledge of self-care, perceived benefits of self-care, self-efficacy in self-care and self-care behaviors during pregnancy (r = .130, p<0.05; r = .271, p<0.01; r = .438, p<0.01, respectively).

Conclusion: This study suggested that primary healthcare professionals should focus on promoting knowledge, perceived benefits, and self-efficacy to increase pregnant women’s self-care behavior during pregnancy.