Cultural Empowerment of Pregnant Women Becomes the Basis for

Forming Behaviors to Improve Body Immunity

Yusriani

and Muhammad Khidri Alwi

Department of Health Promotion, Faculty of Public Health, Universitas Muslim Indonesia, Makassar, Indonesia

Department of Nutrition, Faculty of Public Health, Universitas Muslim Indonesia, Makassar, Indonesia

Keywords: Pregnancy, Health Cadres, Health Promotion Media, Body Immunity.

Abstract: Pregnancy and childbirth are crisis periods in the life of a woman. These events affect a woman's physical

and mental health, as well as the family's well-being, as she transitions into motherhood. This study sought to

determine the impact of pregnant women's cultural empowerment on their behavior to enhance body

immunity. The type of research used a cross-sectional approach. The sampling size was 511 pregnant women.

The data obtained from questionnaires, then processing and analysing, and presented in tabular form

accompanied by narrative as an explanation of the table. The research results obtained were that there was a

significant relationship between culture empowerment with the behavior of pregnant women (p value 0.000).

There is a significant relationship between extensive culture (p value = 0.000), a positive cultural relationship

(p value = 0.000), and a negative cultural relationship with the behavior of pregnant women in an effort to

increase body immunity (p value = 0.000). Cultural empowerment of pregnant woman becomes tha basis for

forming behaviors to improve body immunity.

1 INTRODUCTION

Mother's well-being is affected by the component of

mortality related to the stages of pregnancy, birth, and

post-delivery during the co-19 pandemic and the

variant new omicion. Gowa Regency has the highest

Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR) in South Sulawesi

and one of the causes is co-19 infection. The service-

based interventions that have been carried out are

apparently not able to suppress MMR. Innovative

efforts are needed by utilizing local wisdom-based

halal health promotion media technology to

encourage the independence of health cadets in an

effort to improve the immune system of pregnant

women in preventing Covid-19 infection. This study

has the main objective of assessing the cultural

competence of pregnant women.

Cultural empowerment consists of positive

culture, extensive culture and negative culture.

Respondents who had poor cultural competence were

350 people (68.5%) while those who had good

cultural competence were 161 people (31.5%).

Respondents who had a positive culture were less

than 357 people (69.9%) while those who had a good

positive culture were 154 people (30.1%).

Respondents who had a poor extensive culture were

157 people (30.7%) while those who had a good

extensive culture were 354 people (69.3%).

Respondents who had a negative culture of less were

355 people (69.5%) while those who had a good

negative culture were 156 people (30.5%).

Behavioral Variables of Pregnant Women. There

were 204 respondents (39.9%) who had behavior to

increase the immunity of pregnant women, while

those who had good behavior in pregnant women

were 307 (60.1%).

In addition to research, namely providing

education and training to the Department of Health on

efforts to increase the body's immunity of pregnant

women based on local wisdom. Increase the

knowledge and skills of health cadets in carrying out

health promotion while using the media properly and

wisely. Developing halal health promotion media

technology based on local wisdom to support the

independence of health cadets in improving the

immune system of pregnant women as an effort to

prevent COVID-19 infection. Researchers hope that

the community, especially pregnant women, can

improve health degrees through the delivery of

information or counseling delivered by the head of

the department through mentoring activities.

138

Yusriani, and Alwi, M. K.

Cultural Empowerment of Pregnant Women Becomes the Basis for Forming Behaviors to Improve Body Immunity.

DOI: 10.5220/0012901900004564

Paper published under CC license (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0)

In Proceedings of the 5th International Conference on Social Determinants of Health (ICSDH 2023), pages 138-143

ISBN: 978-989-758-727-6; ISSN: 2975-8297

2 METHOD

The research methodology employed in Phase I is a

quantitative investigation utilizing an observational

analytic survey design with a cross-sectional

approach. The primary objective of this study is to

ascertain and delineate the following factors: In order

to enhance the immunity of pregnant women, it is

imperative to investigate the concept of Cultural

Empowerment, which encompasses good culture,

extensive culture, and bad culture. The objective of

this study is to examine the behavior of pregnant

women with regards to enhancing their body

immunity as well as explore the potential correlation

between cultural empowerment and the

aforementioned behavior among pregnant women. In

order to ascertain the favorable cultural correlation

between the conduct of pregnant women and the

enhancement of bodily immunity. The objective of

this study is to examine the correlation between broad

cultural practices and the conduct of pregnant

women, with the aim of enhancing their immune

systems. In order to ascertain the correlation between

unfavorable cultural influences and the conduct of

pregnant women with the aim of enhancing bodily

immunity, an investigation is needed.

The study encompassed the entire population of

pregnant women residing in South Bontonompo

District and Bajeng District, Gowa Regency, during

the designated data collection period. The total

number of participants was 511, with 279 individuals

recruited from the South Bontonompo Health Center

and 232 individuals from the Bajeng Health Center.

This study employs a total population approach,

wherein the entire population is utilized as the sample

or respondent pool for the investigation.

The researchers employed a validated and reliable

questionnaire to gather the data. The present study

used the Pearson product-moment correlation

approach to assess the validity of the instrument. The

instrument's reliability was assessed using the Alpha

Cronbach test. The data underwent analysis using

computational methods. The data analysis included

univariate and bivariate techniques, including the

utilization of the chi-square test.

3 RESULT AND DISCUSSION

3.1 Overview of Research Locations

The Bontonompo I Health Center is located in the

Bontoramba Village, Kec. South Bontonompo, or

located at the southern tip of Gowa Regency, with a

distance of approximately 40 km from the capital of

Gowa Regency (Sungguminasa). Coordinate Point -

5.438695 Latitude and 119.832291 Longitude,

Covering 8 Villages, namely Pa'bundukang Village,

Salajangki Village, Tindang Village, Tanrara Village,

Sengka Village, Jipang Village, Bontosunggu

Village, Salajo Village and also has 1 Village namely

Kelurahan Bontoramba. Total Population 42,337

souls.

Geographically, the Bontonompo I Health Center

is located in the lowlands with alluvial soil conditions

(most of which are used for rice fields), so that most

of the population has a livelihood as farmers. The

Bontonompo I Health Center encompasses an

estimated area of 22 square kilometers. The

delineations of the operational region of the

Bontonompo I Health Center are outlined as follows:

a) To the north of the working area of the

Bontonompo II Health Center (Barembeng

Village, Bontonompo District, Gowa Regency)

b) To the east of the working area of the

Mappakasunggu Health Center (Takalar

Regency)

c) To the south of the working area of the Sanrobone

Health Center (Kec. Mappakasunggu, Kab.

Takalar)

d) To the west of the working area of the

Bontomarannu Health Center (Kec. Galesong

Selatan, Kab. Gowa)

3.2 Characteristics Respondent

Table 1: Distribution of Respondent Characteristics at the

Bontonompo I Health Center.

Characteristics

Number of Cadre

(n) %

Age (years)

<20

20 – 35

>35

420

5,4

82,1

12,5

Age at Last Childbirth

<20

20 – 35

>35

190

303

59,4

3,6

Age of First Marriage

Elementary School

High School

Senior High School

Diploma / Academy

College

7,1

14,1

68,2

5,9

4,7

Cultural Empowerment of Pregnant Women Becomes the Basis for Forming Behaviors to Improve Body Immunity

139

Characteristics

Number of Cadre

(n) %

Current Gestational Age

(Week)

0 – 12

13 – 24

–

105

199

207

20,6

39,2

40,2

Did Mother Work During

Pregnancy

Yes

364

147

71,2

28,8

Total 439 100

3.3 Relationship of Cultural

Empowerment with the Behaviour

of Pregnant Woman

In table 2, Based on an analysis of the relationship

between cultural empowerment and how pregnant

women act, 46.5% of the 350 cases of inadequate

cultural empowerment were linked to bad behavior by

pregnant women, while 53.4% were linked to good

behavior by mothers. Conversely, among the 161

instances of cultural empowerment that were deemed

satisfactory, approximately 25.5% were accompanied

by suboptimal maternal behavior, while 74.5% were

characterized by commendable conduct on the part of

mothers.

The statistical analysis employing Yate's

Correction indicates that the obtained p-value is

0.000, which is less than the predetermined

significance level of 0.05. Consequently, the

alternative hypothesis (Ha) is accepted, while the null

hypothesis (Ho) is rejected. This outcome suggests a

significant association between cultural

empowerment and the conduct of pregnant women in

enhancing their body immunity within the Gowa area.

One of the challenges encountered in Indonesia

pertains to the issue of prenatal nutrition. Indirect

factors, such as behavioral patterns and particularly

the persistence of societal beliefs that run counter to

well-established health principles, have an impact on

the issue at hand. These misconceptions have

detrimental effects on the health of both mothers and

their children (Sudirman et al., 2020).

The theory of resoned action states that behavior

is an action that arises as a result of someone's

intention. Intention to perform behavior is a transition

from one's beliefs or beliefs to a desired action.

Intention will appear after a positive attitude and

normative support from the surrounding environment

to carry out a behavior (Yusrina & Devy, 2017). In

general, the influence of the family on the status of

the mother's pregnancy is strong for rural

communities in Indonesia. A society's norms and

culture can influence its members' behavior.

Pregnancy poses a threat to the health of the mother.

Many people think that pregnancy is a normal and

natural thing that must be borne by women in

marriage. (Aryastami & Mubasyiroh, 2019). The

notion of culture elicits fascination as it pertains to the

manner in which individuals live, develop cognitive

processes, experience emotions, hold beliefs, and

pursue behaviors that align with the norms and values

of their respective cultural contexts. In essence,

culture encompasses the behavioral and social

manifestations that characterize the identity and

perception of a given society (Syakhrani & Kamil,

2022).

Community empowerment is a theoretical

framework within the realm of economic

development that encompasses and embodies social

ideals. This notion embodies a novel framework of

development, specifically characterized by its

emphasis on being oriented around individuals,

promoting active participation, fostering

empowerment, and ensuring long-term sustainability.

The scope of this notion extends beyond the mere

fulfillment of essential requirements or the

implementation of measures to avert greater

destitution (often referred to as a safety net). Its

formulation has emerged as a new endeavor to

explore alternate approaches to conventional growth

paradigms. The genesis of this notion may be

attributed to the collective endeavors of several

scholars and professionals in pursuit of what

Friedman (1992) refers to as alternative development.

This approach emphasizes the importance of

inclusive democracy, suitable economic progress,

gender equality, and intergenerational parity. (Agus

Purbathin Hadi, 2010).

Table 2: The Relationship between Culture Empowerment

and the Behavior of Pregnant Women in Gowa Regency in

2022.

Culture

Empowe

rment

Behavior of Pregnant

Women

Total p

value

Less Goo

n % n % n %

Less 163 46,5 187 53,4 350 100 p=

0,0

Goo

41 25,5 120 74,5 161 100

Jumlah 204 39,9 307 60,1 511 100

3.4 Relationship of Positive Cultural

Empowerment with The Behaviour

of Pregnant Women

Based on table 3, it states that positive culture with

the behavior of pregnant women shows that of the 357

ICSDH 2023 - The International Conference on Social Determinants of Health

140

positive cultures that are lacking, there are 47.3%

poor behavior of pregnant women and 52.7% good

behavior of mothers, while from 154 positive positive

cultures there are 22.7% poor behavior of mothers.

and 77.3% mother's behavior is good.

The results of statistical tests using Yate's

Correction show that the p-value = 0.000 <  0.05 so

that Ha is accepted and Ho is rejected, which means

there is a relationship between perception and

behavior of pregnant women in increasing body

immunity.

Pregnancy care is crucial for preventing

complications and maternal mortality during

childbirth, as well as preserving the development and

health of the mother and fetus. To determine the

health impact on infants and mothers, it is crucial to

comprehend the behavior of maternity care,

particularly as it relates to socio-cultural factors in

certain regions. (Ashriady et al., 2022). Cultural

practices in the care of postpartum mothers are known

by various terms such as pilis, parem, massage,

stagenan, octopus, sitting senden, drinking herbal

medicine, walikdadah, abstaining from eating, and

various rituals that are believed to protect babies and

postpartum mothers. This culture has various

impacts, namely positive impacts such as relaxing or

warming the body, and improving the blood

circulation of the mother after childbirth (Martadinata

et al., 2022).

Cultural practices in the postpartum phase that

still occur in society such as postpartum mothers

using betel leaf decoction to use wipes on the genitals,

using octopus or stagen on their stomachs, some

drinking traditional herbal medicine to get rid of the

odor in the fluids secreted by the genitals, and also

Morning shower should not be too late because it can

cause myopic (Martadinata et al., 2022).

Table 3: The Relationship between Positive Cultural

Relations with the Behavior of Pregnant Women in Gowa

Regency in 2022.

Positive

Culture

Behavior of Pregnant

Women

Total

value

Less Goo

n % n % n %

Less 169 47,3 188 52,7 357 100 p=

0,000

Good 35 22,7 199 77,3 154 100

Jumlah 204 39,9 307 60,1 511 100

3.5 Extensial Culture Relationship with

the Behaviour of Pregnant Women

Table 4 states that the extensive culture with the

behavior of pregnant women shows that out of 157

extensive cultures that are lacking, there are 64.3%

poor behavior of pregnant women and 35.7% good

behavior of mothers, while of the 354 good extensive

cultures there are 29.1% of maternal behavior. less

and 70.9% good mother's behavior.

The results of statistical tests using Yate's

Correction show that the p-value = 0.000 < 0.05 so

that Ha is accepted and Ho is rejected, which means

there is a relationship between existential culture and

the behavior of pregnant women in increasing body

immunity in Gowa district.

One of the main obstacles to the acceptance of

health programs is cultural constraints on people who

were previously only familiar with the traditional

medical system. Communities in the unity of tribes

with their respective cultural identities, have and

develop their own medical system as part of their

culture from generation to generation. So that culture

can be interpreted as behavior produced by humans

systematically through the effort of thinking and

learning from their environment (Dara et al., 2021).

Table 4: The Relationship between Extensive Culture and

the Behavior of Pregnant Women in Gowa Regency in

2022.

3.6 The Relationship of Negative

Culture with the Behaviour of

Pregnant Women

Table 5 shows the results that negative culture with

the behavior of pregnant women out of 355 negative

cultures that lacked 46.5% poor behavior of pregnant

women and 53.5% good behavior of mothers, while

from 156 positive negative cultures there were 25%

poor behavior of mothers and 75% good mother

behavior. The results of statistical tests using Yate's

Correction show that the p-value = 0.000 < 0.05 so

that Ha is accepted and Ho is rejected, which means

there is a relationship between negative culture and

the behavior of pregnant women in increasing body

immunity in Gowa district.

xtensive

Culture

Behavior of Pregnant

Women

Total p

value

Less Goo

n % n % n %

Less 101 64,3 56 35,7 157 100 p=

0,0

Good 103 29,1 251 70,9 354 100

Jumlah 204 39,9 307 60,1 511 100

Cultural Empowerment of Pregnant Women Becomes the Basis for Forming Behaviors to Improve Body Immunity

141

Table 5: The Relationship between Negative Culture and

the Behavior of Pregnant Women in Gowa Regency in

2022.

The culture adopted and developed in an area is

one of the factors that limits women from making

independent decisions about their health and has a

negative impact on their own health (Harnila &

Rachmawati, 2022). In the Big Indonesian

Dictionary, tradition has two meanings: first, customs

that are still practiced by the community. Second, the

assessment or assumption that the existing method is

the best and correct. Therefore, tradition is a general

term that describes everything related to the present

(Warzukni et al., 2023).

Pregnancy is a physiological process, but in

society there are many beliefs, cultures or myths that

are practiced by the community for generations to

maintain or care for pregnancy (Kartini &

Kusumadewi, 2022)

One of the negative cultural forms of the Banjar

people, almost the same as Gowa, is taboos that are

widely heard of, taboos for pregnant women. One of

the most familiar pamali, for example: Urang

batianan pamali badiri or baduduk at Muhara

Lawang, can switch baranaks (pregnant women don't

sit or stand at the door, it will be difficult to give

birth). Among the people of Gowa and Banjar, these

pamali are a kind of 'signs' of their own. Although

some heed and consider the taboos to be just

superstitions, most others still comply with the aim of

avoiding unwanted things from happening if the

taboos are trivialized (Veniaty, 2023). In addition,

several cultural values regarding recommended food

and dietary restrictions still apply and are believed to

be in pregnant women. Foods that are not

recommended are lavender leaf vegetables,

eggplants, then pineapples, durians, and tape.

Abstinence from foods in the form of pineapples and

durians is in accordance with the results of research

on Javanese ethnic communities in Yogyakarta,

Jepara, Ponorogo, Wonosobo, Banyumas and Pati.

the same is the case with the people of Gowa (Kartini

& Kusumadewi, 2022). With this tradition, an

understanding of people's cultural beliefs related to

health, disease, and health care is needed, so that

health workers can provide culturally appropriate

care. Culturally appropriate care is a powerful healing

force for the quality of healthcare services for clients

(Martins et al., 2022).

4 CONCLUSIONS

There is a significant relationship between culture

empowerment in pregnant women, which is proven

by the results of the study, which showed a value (p

value 0.000 <0.05). There is a significant relationship

between positive culture and the behavior of pregnant

women. This is proven by the results of the study,

which showed a value (p value = 0.000 <0.05). There

is a significant relationship between extensive culture

and the behavior of pregnant women, this is proven

by the results of the study, which showed a value (p

value = 0.000 <0.05). There is a significant

relationship between negative culture and the

behavior of pregnant women, this is proven by the

results of the study, which showed a value (p value =

0.000 < 0.05. Cultural empowerment of pregnant

woman becomes tha basis for forming behaviors to

improve body immunity at the Bontonompo Health

Center

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

All parties involved in this research, especially for the

willingness of the cadres who took part in this

research conducted in Gowa Regency, with special

thanks to the regional government of Gowa for their

invaluable support throughout the research process.

The author would like to extend their gratitude to the

Directorate of Research, Technology, and

Community Service, the Directorate General of

Higher Education, Research, and Technology, and

the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and

Technology of the Republic of Indonesia for their

generous financial support towards this research

endeavor, as well as for their assistance in authorship

and publication of this article, which is a component

of the Higher Education Excellence Basic Research

(PDUPT) program.

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