Support group training for pregnant adolescents as an initiative to enhance maternal health among adolescents

https://doi.org/10.22146/jcoemph.103196

Maria Lupita Nena Meo(1*), Sinta Elisa Jelita Kaunang(2), Heilbert Armando Mapaly(3)

(1) The Nursing Science Study Program, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Sam Ratulangi, Manado, Indonesia
(2) The Psychology Study Program, Faculty of Education and Psychology, Universitas Negeri Manado, Tondano, Indonesia
(3) The Informatics Engineering Study Program, Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Sam Ratulangi, Manado, Indonesia
(*) Corresponding Author

Abstract


Introduction: Minahasa Regency, North Sulawesi, faces a significant rate of teenage pregnancies, with serious health risks such as malnutrition, anemia, abortion complications, preterm births, and preeclampsia. In 2023, only 30% of the total pregnant adolescents registered at the Tateli Community Health Center received antenatal care services, highlighting the urgent need for intervention. This program aims to empower 40 health cadres from 12 villages through intensive training and mentoring conducted from September to October 2024.

Methods: The training covered topics such as adolescent reproductive health, communication skills, counseling, and nutritional support. Each participant also received a structured training module for independent learning.

Results: Post-training evaluations showed a substantial improvement in health cadres' knowledge, with the "good" category increasing from 25% to 82.5%, while the "moderate " and "low" categories decreased.

Conclusion: These results highlight the effectiveness of community-based training in improving cadres' competencies in supporting pregnant adolescents. Empowering health cadres through training and mentoring enhances the quality of healthcare services for teenage mothers. The sustainability of the program can be strengthened through follow-up training, technology integration, and cross-sector collaboration to reduce adolescent pregnancy rates and improve maternal and child health outcomes. This program provides an effective approach to addressing the challenges of  adolescent pregnancy in the region.


Keywords


Training; health cares; pregnant adolescents

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DOI: https://doi.org/10.22146/jcoemph.103196

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