TRADISI KEPERCAYAAN MASYARAKAT PESISIR MENGENAl KESEHATAN IBU DI DESA TANJUNG LIMAU MUARA BADAK KALIMANTAN TIMUR TAHUN 2008

<p><strong>Background</strong>: Reproductive health covers biological and socio-cultural aspects. In the local context of East Kalimantan, the traditional culture may affect the behavior including antenatal, delivery and postpartum care, either in positive or negative manner.</p> <p><strong>Objective</strong>: To explore community perspectives related to reproductive health particularly maternal health and its cultural beliefs.</p> <p><strong>Methode</strong>: A qualitative research using phenomenology approach employed focus group discussion (FGD) and in-depth interview. FGD was held separately for pregnant women and community informant. In-depth interview was carried out to midwives and traditional birth attendants. The data were analyzed using interactive analyzes model.</p> <p><strong>Result</strong>: The study site was Tanjung Limau Village in East Kalimantan. Village community hold their traditional beliefs for pregnant women mainly food restriction such as salted fish, calamari, pine-apple or cempedak. Also they were not allowed to go out in the evening around "maghrib" time with certain superstitious reason. The aim of those beliefs was to avoid delivery complication, and to keep the baby as being healthy and save.</p> <p><strong>Conclusion</strong>: Traditional birth attendance still played a big role in delivery process. Community in Tanjung Limau Village in East Kalimantan still applied traditional beliefs regarding maternal health, thus health providers must learn its symbolic meaning in regard to educate community and change their behavior using acceptable approach.</p> <p> </p> <p><strong>Keywords</strong> : Traditional beliefs, pregnancy taboos, traditional birth attendance