Beliefs, attitudes and behaviours of pregnant women in bali

OBJECTIVE: To explore beliefs, attitudes and behaviours of pregnant women in Bali, Indonesia.

DESIGN: Descriptive qualitative study using in-depth interviews.

SETTING: Community health-care centre in South Kuta, Bali, Indonesia.

PARTICIPANTS: 18 Pregnant women aged 20-35 years.

FINDINGS: Insights into beliefs and attitudes regarding pregnancy emerged from the analysis. Participants believed that some foods should or should not be eaten by pregnant women. They believed that vegetables are better than meat during pregnancy. Strong beliefs about traditional herbal remedies also emerged. Complex beliefs on locus of control were also expressed by the majority of the respondents regarding who was responsible for the health and well-being of their infant. Women maintained that they themselves, health-care professionals, nature and God were all responsible for the health of their infant. In addition, some respondents acknowledged the crucial role of the family for support and advice during pregnancy.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Interventions to improve the quality of antenatal care and pregnancy outcomes in Indonesia should consider these beliefs and attitudes. Counselling by health-care workers, for example, might explicitly seek women’s complex beliefs on locus of control, and views on preferences for traditional remedies and food, especially low meat intake. Involvement of husbands and other family members during pregnancy and birth should also be encouraged and re-inforced by health promotion programmes. Community and religious leaders should be engaged to support key messages.