Berita Kedokteran Masyarakat

Access and gaps in maternal–child health services among housewives living with HIV in Yogyakarta, Indonesia: an in-depth interview study

Fitriana Putri Utami — 2026-04-25

Purpose: This study examines access to antiretroviral therapy (ART), reproductive health services, and peer support among housewives living with HIV. It identifies barriers and unmet needs in maternal and child HIV care.

Methods: This qualitative case study has five housewives living with HIV purposively selected as primary informants, supported by three HIV service providers as triangulation. Data were collected through in-depth interviews and analyzed using a thematic analysis.

Results: Adult anti- retroviral therapy (ART) services were generally accessible at public health centers; however, participants often avoided facilities near their homes to prevent unintended disclosure and stigma. Maternal health services, including Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission (PMTCT), were avail- able but unevenly implemented, with comprehensive care concentrated in referral hospitals and variable provider familiarity with PMTCT protocols. Limited contraceptive use reflects misconceptions about reproductive health needs among married women with HIV. Peer support groups were crucial for psychosocial support and sustained engagement in care. Major gaps were identified in child health services, particularly pediatric HIV care, marked by hospital-centered ART provision and culturally appropriate guidance for HIV status disclosure to perinatally infected children.

Conclusion: Although some maternal–child health services are accessible, substantial gaps remain in PMTCT, reproductive health, and pediatric HIV care. Strengthening provider capacity, addressing stigma, and developing integrated, child-friendly services—including clear guidance on pediatric HIV disclosure—are needed to support housewives living with HIV and their families.

Effectiveness of an interactive nutrition education kit on mothers’ knowledge and attitudes toward stunting prevention: a quasi-experimental study

Az Zahra Nur Ainiyyah — 2026-04-25

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of KIT DENTING, an interactive multimodal nutrition education kit, in improving mothers’ knowledge and attitudes toward stunting prevention compared with conventional leaflet-based education.

Methods: A quasi-experimental study with a nonequivalent pre–post-test control group design was conducted among 60 mothers of children aged 0–23 months in the working area of Pakem Primary Health Center, Sleman Regency, Yogyakarta. Participants were assigned to an intervention group that received nutrition education using KIT DENTING or a control group that received leaflet-based education. Knowledge and attitudes were assessed at baseline (pre-test), 1 week after the intervention (post-test 1), and 4 weeks after the intervention (post-test 2). Data were analyzed using paired and independent statistical tests to examine within- and between-group differences.

Results: Both groups showed significant improvements in knowledge following the intervention. In contrast, the intervention group demonstrated greater and more sustained improvements in knowledge and attitudes at both follow-up points. Compared with the control group, the intervention group sustained knowledge gains and showed improvements in attitudes, but with reduced effect consistency at four weeks of follow-up.

Conclusion: Nutrition education using the interactive multimodal KIT DENTING was more effective than leaflet-based education in improving and sustaining mothers’ knowledge and attitudes toward stunting prevention. These findings support the integration of interactive, multimodal nutrition education tools into community-based IYCF and stunting-prevention programs at the primary health care level.

Caregiver practice and quality of life among children with cerebral palsy

Eka Sulistiyawati — 2026-04-25

Purpose: This study explored how caregiver practices relate to the quality of life (QoL) of children with cerebral palsy (CP) in Surakarta, with particular attention to caregiver adherence to recommended care and to CP severity as determinants of QoL outcomes.

Methods: A retrospective cohort design was employed involving 163 children with CP and their primary caregivers in Surakarta. Data were collected from medical and caregiver records to assess caregiver adherence to recommended care practices, severity of CP, and children’s QoL. Statistical analyses were conducted to determine the strength of associations between caregiver adherence, CP severity, and QoL outcomes.

Results: High caregiver adherence was significantly associated with improved QoL in children with CP. Children whose caregivers showed high adherence were 2.75 times more likely to have better QoL than those with low adherence. Additionally, CP severity emerged as a strong predictor of QoL, with more severe cases associated with poorer QoL.

Conclusion: The findings suggest that caregiver practices, particularly consistent adherence to recommended care plays an important role in supporting the quality of life of children with CP. At the same time, the clinical severity of CP remains a key influencing factor. Strengthening caregiver training, improving access to healthcare support, and promoting more holistic rehabilitation approaches may therefore improve long-term outcomes for children with CP.