The relationship between the ratio of midwives and antenatal care coverage in Central Kalimantan in 2020-2022

Abstract

Introduction : Antenatal care (ANC) is a healthcare service for pregnant women. The quality of health services is heavily influenced by the performance of the health workers, including midwives. In Central Kalimantan, in 2021, the first ANC coverage (K1) achieved 98.15%, while the fourth coverage (K4) was at 88.14%. Four districts/cities in Central Kalimantan had public health centers with midwife ratios below the minimum requirement (130 midwives per 100,000 population). The purpose of the study was to determine the relationship between the ratio of midwives and the ANC coverage in Central Kalimantan in 2020–2022.Methods : The data was analyzed using the cross-sectional study design. The dependent variable was the ANC coverage in Central Kalimantan in 2020–2022, while the independent variable was the ratio of midwives in Central Kalimantan in 2020–2022.Results : In Central Kalimantan, 10 (71.4%) districts had achieved the target midwife ratio, while 4 (28.6%) had not. There had been a yearly decrease from K1 to K4. Despite positive growth in midwife ratios, there was no significant correlation between midwife ratios and ANC coverage for both K1 and K4.Conclusion : The ratio of midwives had not significantly contributed to the coverage of ANC K1 and K4 in Central Kalimantan. Various factors that could impact the ANC coverage, aside from human resources, must be taken into account. It is crucial for the government to expand its involvement.