MATERNAL SELF-SCREENING FOR EARLY DETECTION OF DANGER SIGNS TO PREVENT PUERPERAL COMPLICATIONS

Abstract

The postpartum period is a critical time for the health of mothers and babies. Complications during this period can have serious consequences, even threatening lives. Most postpartum complications contribute to maternal mortality due to delays in accessing emergency obstetric care. Postpartum complications can be prevented by identifying danger signs during the postpartum period. The aim of this study is to explore the knowledge of postpartum mothers in conducting self-screening to prevent postpartum complications. This research is a quantitative study with a descriptive cross-sectional design conducted from August to November 2022 in the working area of Klatak Health Center, Banyuwangi Regency, East Java. The sample of the study consisted of 30 postpartum mothers, selected through purposive sampling. The results showed that the majority of mothers understood danger signs such as fever over 38°C (70%), dizziness, blurred vision, and epigastric pain (66.7%), vaginal bleeding (86.7%), inability to urinate or pain at the perineal stitch site (70%), foul-smelling and itchy vaginal discharge (70%), as well as chest pain, rapid and shallow breathing, and a feeling of heaviness (53.3%). Most mothers understood basic needs during the postpartum period, including fulfilling nutritional intake (73.3%), iron tablet consumption (56.7%), lactation management (56.7%), and nearly all mothers were aware of the need for rest (93.3%), personal hygiene (96.7%), and adequate fluid intake (83.3%). When danger signs occurred, the majority of mothers chose to contact community health workers, health professionals, or access the nearest health facilities (70%). It is recommended to enhance education on the warning signs during the postpartum period and to empower community health workers in supporting postpartum mothers, while also reminding them to use the Maternal and Child Health Book as a tool for education and screening of postpartum warning signs.