SOCIO-CULTURAL INFLUENCES ON PREGNANT WOMEN'S FIRST CONTACT WITH HEALTH WORKERS IN THE WORKING AREA OF THE WAWAROPE PUBLIC HEALTH CENTER KONAWE KEPULAUAN REGENCY

Abstract

The Wawarope District, Konawe Islands Regency, remains a region deeply rooted in local cultural values and traditions. Community adherence to Islamic customs and practices is still strong, shaping socio-cultural influences on daily life. A preliminary study revealed that socio-cultural factors, particularly knowledge and habits, affect maternal health-seeking behavior. Many pregnant women continue to place strong trust in traditional birth attendants (paraji) as long as the fetus is perceived to be healthy, thereby discouraging them from seeking early prenatal care. The objective of this study was to examine the socio-cultural influence on the first contact between pregnant women and health workers at the Wawarope Community Health Center (Puskesmas), Konawe Islands Regency, in 2025. This quantitative study employed a cross-sectional design with 30 respondents, selected through purposive sampling, and data were collected using questionnaires. The chisquare test showed a p-value of 0.000 < α = 0.05, leading to the rejection of Ho and acceptance of Ha. This indicates a significant influence of socio-cultural factors on the first contact of pregnant women with health workers in the Wawarope Community Health Center working area, Konawe Islands Regency, in 2025. In conclusion, the stronger the belief in traditions and myths that hinder visits to health workers, the greater the likelihood that pregnant women will delay their first antenatal check-up