Strengthening Adolescent Reproductive Health as a Strategy to Diminish Maternal Mortality: A Case Study in Malang

The aims of this study are: (1) describing adolescent knowledge and understanding of reproductive health, (2) describing gender issues related to adolescent reproductive health, (3) describing delayed medical assistance due to socio-cultural aspects resulting in the death of the mother, and (4) strengthening adolescent awareness of reproductive health as a strategy to decrease maternal mortality. Based on a qualitative approach with a case study design, the research was conducted at Malang Regency using the snowball method, and a survey on adolescent understanding of reproduction was conducted in Singosari and Pujon. Results demonstrated that adolescent knowledge of reproductive health is relatively low. As a result, adolescents' lack of understanding of reproductive health leads to unwanted pregnancies, and therefore, young women and their families are ashamed and receive social sanctions from the community. Another result revealed that the maternal mortality rate is high due to socioeconomic and cultural conditions. People delay seeking medical assistance because they are experiencing poor economic conditions. Thus, they choose the help of child shamans rather than the help of doctors, midwives, or public health centers. Regarding this matter, reproductive education for young teenagers is pivotal as a preventive measure to reduce maternal mortality. Moreover, the schools may assist in this effort by including gender and reproductive education in physical education, health and sports, and biology courses.