Consumption of Jamu in Pregnant Women as A Risk Factor of Birth Asphyxia in Bekasi

Abstract

Jamu is traditional medicine which is made by natural ingredients, which has good effect by using several ingredients. The effectiveness and safety of traditional medicine as self medication in health care still need to be proven, especially if it is used by pregnant women. The goal of this study was to know the effect of consuming jamu for pregnant women with birth asphyxia in Bekasi in 2008. Quantitative and qualitative study designs were used in this study. We used case control design to see the odds ratio of the mothers who have experience of consuming jamu during pregnancy. The result showed that there were relationship and risk of consuming jamu with birth asphyxia (p=0,000, OR=7,1) and frequency of antenatal care with birth asphyxia (4–8 times during pregnancy, p=0,052, OR=1,68 and less than 4 times during pregnancy, p=0,019, OR=3.02). The result of in-depth interview told us that the majority of the mothers did not know about the health attitude during pregnancy and didn’t have enough information from providers about it. We suggest increasing the quality of health service during pregnancies and deliveries, and establishing a standard of using jamu for pregnant women.