Praktik Budaya dalam Kehamilan, Persalinan, dan Nifas pada Suku Dayak Sanggau Tahun 2006

According to WHO data, maternal mortality is still the main public health problem in many developing countries with mortality rate of 400 per 100.000 live birth. Maternal mortality rate in West Kalimantan Province is 442 per 100 000 live birth, higher than average mortality rate in developing countries. The objective of this study is to identify and analyse cultural practices among Dayak Sanggau tribe relating to pregnancy, birth, and postpartum periods. This study is a qualitative study employing in-depth interview, focus group discussion and observation methods. Analysis method employed in this study is thematic analysis. Study was conducted in Sanggau Community Health Center work area in May 2006 with pregnant mothers, postpartum mothers, village midwife, head of cultural committee, and women at reproductive age. The study found that there were cultural practices which can either harm or support healthy and safe pregnancy, delivery, and postpartum periods among the researched community. Harmful cultural practices during pregnancy period include messages related to hard working, less sleeping time, and inappropriate uterus massage; during delivery: non sterile intravaginal examination, unclean place of birth (in the kitchen), nyurung, finding badi through balian, non sterile umbilical cord cutting, and non sterile placenta extraction by hand, taking river water for baby bathing, and give ginger water with local alcoholic beverage (tuak) to infant; during postpartum period: fasting, nyandar, and sexual intercourse at postpartum period. The supportive practices include husband's company during delivery and comprehensive service from village midwife. Key words: Traditional practice, pregnancy, delivery, post partum