Effects of Electronic Technology Antenatal Care (E-ANC) on Midwives and Pregnant Women during the COVID-19 Period

Rosmala Nur; St. Radiah; Ulfa Aulia; Rahma Rahma Dwilarasati; Nurhaya S. Patui; Elvaria Mantao; Syaiful Hendra; Hajra Rasmita Ngemba; Muh Rusydi; Nenita P. Dominggo

doi:10.3889/oamjms.2020.4923

Authors

Rosmala Nur Department of Public Health, Faculty of Public Health, Tadulako University, Palu, Indonesia
St. Radiah Department of Public Health, Faculty of Public Health, Tadulako University, Palu, Indonesia
Ulfa Aulia Department of Public Health, Faculty of Public Health, Tadulako University, Palu, Indonesia
Rahma Rahma Dwilarasati Department of Public Health, Faculty of Public Health, Tadulako University, Palu, Indonesia
Nurhaya S. Patui Department of Public Health, Faculty of Public Health, Tadulako University, Palu, Indonesia
Elvaria Mantao Department of Public Health, Faculty of Public Health, Tadulako University, Palu, Indonesia
Syaiful Hendra Department of Information Technology, Faculty of Engineering, Tadulako University, Palu, Indonesia
Hajra Rasmita Ngemba Department of Information Technology, Faculty of Engineering, Tadulako University, Palu, Indonesia
Muh Rusydi Department of Geophysics, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Tadulako University, Palu, Indonesia
Nenita P. Dominggo Department of Asian Languages and Cultures, California University, California, United States

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3889/oamjms.2020.4923

Keywords:

COVID-19, e-Antenatal Care

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Pregnant women are considered as a risk group for exposure to COVID-19. Changes in their hormones and immune systems possibly influence their rate of infection by several viruses, including the coronavirus. This stresses the need to observe necessary precautions, by maintaining social distancing, avoiding crowds, and staying at home. Furthermore, the condition also influences the scope of pregnant women’s antenatal visits.

AIM: The study aims to determine the effect of COVID-19 on antenatal visits by pregnant women. Furthermore, it seeks to ascertain the effect of electronic technology antenatal care (e-ANC) on the enhanced participation of midwives and pregnant women in antenatal care (ANC) (i.e., counseling, high-risk early detection on pregnancy, and monitoring of Hb and Fe tablets). Therefore, the impact COVID-19 on women’s reproductive health during the pandemic is also evaluated.

METHODS: This research involved pre- and post-test experiments on 30 pregnant women and 20 midwives at areas around the Public Health Centers in Tinggiede and Marawola. A purposive sampling technique was adopted, and the results were analyzed using a paired t-test.

RESULTS: The study showed discrepancies in the ANC visits of pregnant women before and after the COVID-19 lockdown period, with p < 0.00. Furthermore, there were also differences in midwife participation in counseling by p < 0.00, high-risk early detection on pregnancy by p < 0.001, Hb monitoring by p < 0.002, and provision of Fe tablets by p < 0.003 during the pandemic. Moreover, the pregnant women showed variations in the frequency of counseling by p < 0.00, high-risk early detection on pregnancy by p < 0.00, Hb monitoring by p < 0.002, and the provision of Fe tablets by p < 0.003. The e-ANC instigated a decline in reproductive health problems before (73.4%) and after (10.0%) the intervention.

CONCLUSION: The lockdown period influences the low antenatal visits of pregnant women. However, e-ANC for midwives and pregnant women is developed as an alternative solution to improve ANC (i.e., counseling, high-risk early detection, and monitoring Hb and Fe tablets). This consequently has an effect on the reduced reproductive health problems of pregnant women during the pandemic.

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