Community-Based Model: Pondok Dalam as a Solution to Increase Neonatal Visit in Serdang Bedagai District, North...

Neonatal mortality is a significant public health problem in Indonesia, particularly in rural areas where healthcare access is limited. Therefore, this study aimed to develop Pondok Dalam, a community-based model, using traditional communal spaces in Serdang Bedagai, North Sumatra. By integrating local wisdom, the model functions as a neonatal health education center to enhance maternal knowledge, foster community support, and increase neonatal visit coverage.

A mixed-method design was used, combining qualitative and quantitative data. Qualitative data were collected through in-depth interviews, focus group discussions (FGDs), participatory observations, and structured questionnaires. This study was conducted from February 2023 to July 2024 in five sub-districts of Serdang Bedagai: Dolok Merawan, Tebing Syahbandar, Kotarih, Naga Kesiangan, and Pon Village. Respondents included neonatal mothers, midwives, husbands, and community leaders selected through purposive sampling. Quantitative data were analyzed using the Wilcoxon test, while qualitative data were thematically analyzed.

The results showed that before the intervention, neonatal visit coverage averaged 63.30%, constrained by limited access, economic barriers, and low awareness. After implementing the Pondok Dalam model, maternal knowledge scores rose significantly from 6.23 (pre-test) to 8.63 (post-test) with a P-value of < 0.001. Neonatal visit coverage improved to 85% for the first visit and 93.30% for the third visit.

Pondok Dalam model effectively enhanced maternal knowledge and access to neonatal health services. It offers a replicable, culturally sensitive solution to reduce neonatal mortality in underserved rural settings.