Low Village Community Visits To Posyandu Activities

Abstract

Low attendance rates at Posyandu (Integrated Service Posts) by villagers remain a significant challenge in efforts to improve maternal and child health. This study aims to identify factors influencing low community participation and understand how perceptions, access, and information influence attendance. The study was conducted through field observations and in-depth interviews with mothers of toddlers, Posyandu cadres, and village officials, supported by a review of Posyandu visit data over the past six months. The results indicate that low attendance is influenced by a lack of awareness of the benefits of Posyandu, activity schedules that do not always align with community free time, and minimal outreach and family support. Some residents also perceived Posyandu services as less engaging and not providing a different experience from previous visits. The novelty of this study lies in its approach, which emphasizes the perspectives of villagers in greater depth, resulting in a more humane understanding of their challenges. These findings are expected to inform the development of more relevant intervention strategies, such as adjusting service schedules, improving public communication, and innovating Posyandu activities to be more engaging and responsive to community needs.