Empowering Women through Maternal Health Education: Impacts on Decision-Making and Health Outcomes
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.37899/mjdh.v2i1.242Keywords:
Maternal Health Education, Decision-Making Autonomy, Health OutcomesAbstract
Maternal health remains a major challenge in low and middle income countries, where efforts to reduce maternal mortality are hindered by uneven service use, gender norms, and structural disparities. This study examines how maternal health education supports women’s decision making autonomy and improves maternal health outcomes in Indonesia. A quantitative cross sectional design was used, involving women of reproductive age who had experienced pregnancy or childbirth within the past two years. Autonomy was measured using an index of household health related decisions, while maternal health outcomes included antenatal care attendance, facility based delivery, postnatal care, and neonatal immunization. Statistical tests such as t tests, ANOVA, multiple regression, and logistic regression showed that maternal health education significantly increased autonomy scores, especially among women attending three or more sessions. Higher autonomy was associated with greater likelihood of giving birth in a health facility and adequate use of maternal health services. The findings emphasize that maternal health education should function not only as knowledge sharing but as an intervention that strengthens intra household decision power and supports health system performance. Program managers are encouraged to integrate empowerment indicators, ensure continuous engagement, and enhance community health worker training to include empowerment and communication skills.
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