Optimizing Access to Basic Ultrasound Screening and Improving Pregnant Women’s Knowledge in Bangun Rejo Village

Optimalisasi Aksesibilitas Skrining USG Dasar dan Peningkatan Pengetahuan Ibu Hamil di Desa Bangun Rejo

Abstract

Access to antenatal screening at the rural primary care level remains limited and may contribute to delayed identification of pregnancy-related abnormalities. This community service program aimed to support the optimization of access to basic ultrasound screening, facilitate initial antenatal assessment, and improve pregnant women’s knowledge in Bangun Rejo Village. A community-based evaluation using a one-group pre-test–post-test design involved all 26 eligible pregnant women through total sampling. The intervention integrated interactive maternal health education with free basic ultrasound examinations using a participatory clinical approach. Knowledge was assessed using a validated 30-item multiple-choice questionnaire administered before and immediately after the intervention. Basic ultrasound examinations identified cephalic presentation in 19 participants (73.1%) and breech or transverse presentation in 7 participants (26.9%) who were in the first or second trimester. All participants had adequate amniotic fluid volume and placental location in the uterine corpus; therefore, no abnormalities requiring immediate referral were identified in the assessed ultrasound parameters. The proportion of participants in the good knowledge category increased from 34.6% to 73.1%, while the poor category decreased from 42.3% to 3.8%. The Wilcoxon Signed-Rank Test indicated a significant difference in knowledge categories before and after the intervention (Z = −3.542; p < 0.001). The program facilitated access to basic ultrasound services during its implementation, supported initial antenatal screening, and improved participants’ short-term knowledge. Continued monitoring is required to assess knowledge retention, referral adherence, and pregnancy outcomes.