Analysis of factors related to behavior cognition and effects on pregnant women in maternal and child health (Mch) handbook utilisation

Background: Mothers’ and childrens’ mortality remains a problem, especially in developing countries. Various policies have been introduced by the government to reduce maternal and infant mortality, one of which is the use of Maternal and Child Health Handbooks (MCH) for pregnant women and mothers with toddlers. This study wants to explore factors related to perceived benefits, perceived bridges, and self-efficacy of pregnant women using MCH Handbooks. Method: This study was a cross-sectional study conducted on pregnant women and mothers with toddlers in health centres in Surabaya. The number of respondents in this study were 114 selected by simple random sampling. Results: There is a significant relationship between age (p = 0.010) and pregnancy history (p = 0.000) with obstacles perceived by respondent in the use of MCH Handbooks. There is a significant relationship between education levels (p = 0.040), pregnancy history (p = 0.001) and number of children (p = 0.002) with self efficacy in the use of MCH Handbooks. There is a significant relationship between income (p = 0.004) and perceived benefits in the use of MCH Handbooks. Conclusion: The factors that are related to the obstacles perceived by mothers in the use of MCH Handbooks are age and pregnancy history. The level of education, the history of pregnancy and the number of children related to the mother’s self-efficacy in using the MCH Handbook and income are related to the benefits perceived in using the MCH Handbook.