More Indonesian Women Had Prenatal Checkups at Community Health Centers in 2022

A report by Indonesia's Central Bureau of Statistics (BPS) reveals that 98.6% of ever-married women (PPK) aged 10-54 who gave birth in the past two years had prenatal checkups.

The most frequently chosen location for prenatal checkups was public health centers (puskesmas), accounting for 34.42%. The BPS attributes this to the wider reach, accessibility, and lower cost of puskesmas, which are present in every sub-district.

Other popular locations included private health practitioners (33.93%) and birthing clinics (21.37%), while government and private hospitals accounted for 19.67%.

The BPS explains that higher socioeconomic status correlates with a higher percentage of pregnant women opting for government or private hospitals for prenatal care.

"This is likely due to better financial capabilities, allowing them access to better and more comprehensive healthcare facilities, namely hospitals," the BPS wrote in its 2022 Health Statistics report.

Conversely, higher socioeconomic status is associated with a lower percentage of ever-married women and those with their last child undergoing prenatal checkups at puskesmas.

"Ever-married women with lower socioeconomic status are more likely to choose puskesmas for prenatal checkups due to their lower cost and greater accessibility, thus reducing transportation expenses," stated the BPS.

While facilities and services may differ significantly between puskesmas and hospitals, in 2023, the Ministry of Health gradually distributed 10,000 ultrasound (USG) devices to puskesmas nationwide as a measure to prevent maternal and infant mortality.

"The availability of USG devices in puskesmas can enhance prenatal care services by detecting abnormalities and risks of complications during childbirth. This allows for timely and accurate interventions and referrals," said the BPS.

However, not all pregnant women seek prenatal care at healthcare facilities or from healthcare professionals. Some ever-married women still receive prenatal care outside of healthcare facilities or from non-healthcare professionals.

(Also read: [Several Indonesian Women Do Not Use Contraception After Giving Birth in 2023, What Are the Reasons?])