NEONATAL CARE MANAGEMENT AT PRIMARY HEALTH CENTERS (PUSKESMAS) WITH HIGH AND LOW COVERAGE OF MANAGED NEONATAL COMPLICATIONS IN CENTRAL BUTON REGENCY

Abstract

Neonatal Health Services Play A Crucial Role In Reducing The Infant Mortality Rate (IMR), particularly through the effective management of neonatal complications. However, differences in the coverage of managed neonatal complications among puskesmas in Central Buton Regency indicate variations in resource readiness and service management. This study aims to describe and compare neonatal care management at community health centers with high and low coverage of managed neonatal complications in Central Buton Regency. The study design is qualitative descriptive. Data collection was conducted through in-depth interviews and observations of 11 informants, consisting of two community health center directors, two midwife coordinators, two village midwives, one family health staff member at the Health Office, and four mothers with infants aged 1–3 months. Data analysis utilized content analysis. The results indicated differences in the readiness of infrastructure and the implementation of management functions between the two community health centers. The community health center with high coverage had relatively more adequate infrastructure, routine planning, direct mobilization of health workers, and supervision through monitoring of midwives’ performance. Conversely, the community health center with low coverage had inadequate infrastructure and facilities, irregular planning, indirect mobilization of personnel, and supervision that focused more on reviewing reports without structured corrective actions. At the district level, there were no specific policies, plans, or organizational structures in place for neonatal care. This study concludes that differences in the coverage of managed neonatal complications are related to the readiness of facilities and infrastructure as well as the quality of management functions. Therefore, strengthening neonatal care facilities and infrastructure, developing specific policies and standard operating procedures, and implementing supportive supervision are necessary to improve the quality of neonatal care.