Introduction

In the pregnancy-postpartum process, husbands play a very decisive and critical role. Poor decision making in relation to reproductive health for pregnant women in Central Sulawesi often causes delays in getting them to health services. This condition is one of the main causes of the high maternal mortality rate in Central Sulawesi. The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of the smart book about pregnancy-postpartum care on husbands’ knowledge and the reduction of reproductive health problems.

Material and methods

This study used mixed methods (quasi-experiment and descriptive percentages). Quasi experiment employed a control group design, pre-test and post-test. Interventions using smart books on pregnancy-postpartum care were applied to the treatment group, while the control group was not given this option. A sample of 20 husbands for each group was taken, making a total sample of 40 people.

Results

There were differences in the scores of pre-test and post-test on the husbands’ knowledge in the treatment group in relation to pregnancy (p < 0.001), childbirth (p < 0.001) and postpartum (p < 0.001) care. In the control group, there was no differences between pre-test and post-test scores in relation to pregnancy (p = 0.326), childbirth (p = 0.300) and postpartum (p = 0.129) care. In the treatment group, only 10.0% (2) of husbands had wives who experienced reproductive health problems (bleeding). Meanwhile, 45% (9) of the control group had wives who experienced reproductive health problems (bleeding, complications of pregnancy, miscarriage, low birth weight, fever/seizures and infant mortality).

Conclusions

The smart book of pregnancy-postpartum care increased husbands’ knowledge and decreased wives’ reproductive health problems.