"Malaria Is Not Dangerous Disease for Me and Our Baby": A Qualitative Study of Pregnant Women in Southwest Sumba District, Indonesia

Abstract

Malaria can harm the mother and fetus, various efforts have been made to prevent this disease in pregnant women but still do not show good results shown by the coverage of services that are still far from the target set, this condition is due to the perception of pregnant women towards malaria. This study aims to provide a complete picture of pregnant women's understanding of malaria in the socio-cultural aspects of pregnant women. This research uses qualitative methods with ethnographic design. This study was conducted in a high malaria endemic area in Southwest Sumba Regency with the highest incidence of malaria in pregnancy, informants in this study were determined purposively, data collection was carried out by in-depth interviews and participatory observation. From the results of the study, it was obtained that the understanding of pregnant women is still wrong about malaria, even pregnant women do not consider that this disease is dangerous and can affect the fetus they contain. Pregnant women still trust traditional medicine and traditional rituals in treating the symptoms of malaria. Thus it is concluded that the understanding of pregnant women about malaria is very lacking, pregnant women still consider that this disease is related to mistakes with ancestors or unfinished customs, so education about malaria in pregnancy is needed, of course, with a socio-cultural approach because pregnant women still hold fast to the local culture in carrying out their daily lives.