Researchers in Indonesia studied how a pregnant woman’s health and nutrition affect whether she visits the doctor early in her pregnancy. They looked at information from 38 provinces and found that women who don’t eat enough food or don’t gain enough weight during pregnancy are less likely to go to their first prenatal checkup. On the other hand, women who are malnourished or have growth problems in their babies may be more motivated to seek medical care. The study suggests that helping pregnant women eat better and stay healthier could encourage them to get important early medical checkups that protect both mother and baby.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: How a pregnant woman’s nutrition, weight gain, and overall health condition affect whether she goes to her first doctor’s appointment during pregnancy
  • Who participated: Data from pregnant women across 38 provinces in Indonesia collected in 2024. The study analyzed health information at the province level rather than individual women
  • Key finding: Women with chronic energy deficiency (not eating enough calories) were less likely to attend their first prenatal visit, while women showing signs of malnutrition or baby growth problems were more likely to seek care. The study’s mathematical model was very accurate (89% accurate) at predicting these patterns
  • What it means for you: If you’re pregnant or know pregnant women in Indonesia, improving nutrition and health before and during pregnancy may help ensure they get important early medical checkups. However, this study shows patterns across provinces, not individual guarantees

The Research Details

This study used a statistical method called linear regression to find connections between different health factors and doctor visit patterns. Researchers gathered existing health data from all 38 provinces in Indonesia during 2024 and analyzed it to see which health conditions were most connected to women getting their first prenatal checkup.

The researchers looked at four main health factors: chronic energy deficiency (when someone doesn’t eat enough calories over a long time), malnutrition (not getting enough nutrients), weight gain during pregnancy, and growth failure (when a baby isn’t growing as expected). They used math to figure out how strongly each factor was connected to whether women attended their first prenatal visit.

This approach is useful for finding patterns across large groups of people and provinces, but it doesn’t prove that one thing directly causes another—it just shows they’re connected.

Understanding what health factors connect to prenatal care is important because early doctor visits during pregnancy can catch problems early and keep both mother and baby healthy. By identifying which nutritional problems are most connected to missed appointments, health programs can target help where it’s needed most

The study’s mathematical model was very strong (R² of 0.889), meaning it explained most of the variation in the data. However, the study analyzed data at the province level rather than individual women, so results show general patterns rather than individual cases. The study used existing data rather than following women over time, which limits what we can conclude about cause and effect

What the Results Show

The study found that women with chronic energy deficiency (not eating enough calories) were significantly less likely to attend their first prenatal visit. This was the strongest connection found in the research. In contrast, women showing signs of malnutrition had a positive connection to attending prenatal visits, suggesting that visible health problems may motivate women to seek medical care.

Weight gain during pregnancy showed a negative connection to first prenatal visits, meaning women who gained less weight were less likely to attend. Baby growth failure showed a positive connection, meaning when babies weren’t growing properly, mothers were more likely to seek care—possibly because they noticed something was wrong.

The mathematical model used in this study was very accurate (explaining 88.9% of the variation), suggesting these factors together paint a reliable picture of what influences prenatal visit attendance across Indonesian provinces.

The study revealed that nutritional status appears to be a key factor in whether pregnant women seek early medical care. The findings suggest that women may be more motivated to visit doctors when they notice visible health problems in themselves or their babies, rather than when they’re experiencing less obvious issues like chronic energy deficiency

This research adds to existing knowledge about barriers to prenatal care in developing countries. Previous studies have shown that poverty, distance to clinics, and lack of education affect prenatal care attendance. This study uniquely highlights how a woman’s specific nutritional and health conditions connect to these visits, suggesting nutrition is an important but often overlooked factor in prenatal care access

This study analyzed data at the province level rather than following individual pregnant women, so we can’t be certain the patterns apply to every woman. The study shows connections between factors but doesn’t prove that poor nutrition directly causes missed appointments—other factors we don’t know about could be involved. The study only included Indonesian data, so results may not apply to other countries with different healthcare systems or populations

The Bottom Line

Healthcare programs in Indonesia should prioritize nutrition support for pregnant women, especially programs that help women get enough calories and nutrients. Women should be encouraged to attend prenatal visits early in pregnancy regardless of their current health status, as early care is important for all pregnancies. Community health workers could help identify malnourished pregnant women and connect them with both nutrition help and medical care. (Confidence: Moderate—based on province-level patterns rather than individual studies)

Pregnant women and their families in Indonesia should care about this research, as it highlights how nutrition affects access to important medical care. Healthcare providers, public health officials, and organizations working to improve maternal health in Indonesia should use these findings to design better nutrition and prenatal care programs. This research is less directly applicable to pregnant women in countries with different healthcare systems or nutrition levels

Improvements in nutrition typically take weeks to months to show effects on overall health. Prenatal visits should happen as soon as pregnancy is confirmed, regardless of current nutritional status. If nutrition programs are started, women may feel healthier and more motivated to seek care within 4-8 weeks, though individual results vary

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track weekly weight gain during pregnancy (target: 0.5-1 pound per week in second and third trimester) and daily calorie intake (target: 300 extra calories per day during pregnancy). Log prenatal appointment dates to monitor visit frequency
  • Set a reminder to schedule the first prenatal appointment as soon as pregnancy is confirmed. Use the app to track daily meals and snacks to ensure adequate calorie intake. Log any concerning symptoms (unusual fatigue, dizziness, baby movement changes) to discuss at appointments
  • Weekly check-ins on nutrition goals and appointment scheduling. Monthly reviews of weight gain patterns compared to healthy pregnancy guidelines. Quarterly assessments of prenatal visit completion and any barriers to care that need addressing

This research shows connections between nutrition and prenatal care patterns in Indonesia but does not prove direct cause-and-effect relationships. All pregnant women should attend prenatal appointments regardless of their current nutritional status, as early medical care is essential for healthy pregnancy outcomes. This study analyzes province-level data and may not apply to individual cases. Pregnant women should consult with their healthcare provider about their specific nutrition needs and prenatal care schedule. This information is educational and should not replace professional medical advice.