Maternal And Child Health Handbook Research Articles

Relationship Between Maternal Pre-pregnancy Weight and Offspring Weight Strengthens as Children Develop: A Population-Based Retrospective Cohort Study.

BackgroundMaternal pre-pregnancy weight has been reported to be positively associated with offspring weight. The association between maternal weight and offspring weight might be explained by maternal lifestyle. We investigated the strength of the relationship between maternal body mass index (BMI) at the beginning of pregnancy and offspring BMI at several growth stages.MethodsThe source population was all eighth graders registered in all public schools in the city of Fukuroi, Japan, in 2012. Records of maternal anthropometry at the beginning of pregnancy were obtained from the Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Handbook. The height and body weight of each student were measured. A regression model was used to assess the association between maternal BMI z-score at the beginning of pregnancy and offspring BMI z-score at various ages.ResultsOf the source population, data from the MCH Handbook were obtained for 480 students. Among males, maternal BMI z-score was not associated with offspring BMI z-score at birth and at age 3 years but was associated with offspring BMI z-score at age 13 years (standardized regression coefficient (β) = 0.19; P < 0.01). Among females, maternal BMI z-score was associated with offspring BMI z-score at birth (β = 0.11; P < 0.05), at age 3 years (β = 0.22; P < 0.01) and at age 13 years (β = 0.51; P < 0.01).ConclusionsOur results suggest that the positive association between maternal weight at the beginning of pregnancy and offspring weight around puberty is stronger than that between maternal weight and offspring weight at birth. Maternal lifestyle may influence offspring weight in adolescence.

Knowledge of Pregnancy and Its Danger Signs Not Improved by Maternal and Child Health Handbook.

High numbers of maternal mortality rate and child mortality rate continue to be the pressing issues in Indonesia. To tackle this problem, multiple approaches have been undertaken, particularly through distributing a Maternal and Child Health (MCH) handbook to every pregnant woman. However, despite the widespread usage of such handbook, its true efficacy in supporting safe motherhood by improving maternal knowledge on various stages of pregnancy and the associated obstetric danger signs is relatively unknown and remains to be established. This is a primary cross-sectional study conducted at Majalengka General District Hospital on recently delivering postpartum women between August and September 2017. A total of 127 women were recruited and later divided into two separate groups according to their self-admission on the degree they had read the MCH handbook (≥ 50% and < 50%) and administered a pre-validated questionnaire to assess their knowledge around pregnancy and its danger signs. We discovered that our population had high knowledge around pregnancy and its danger signs, and the MCH handbook did not hold a significant role in effecting this finding (p value 0.295). Furthermore, various sociodemographic factors (age, educational backgrounds, welfare status, distance from healthcare center, parity and number of ANC visits) also did not exert a statistically significant influence on the level of knowledge in our population (p values 0.579, 0.521, 0.617, 0.908, 0.342, 0.618 and 0.939 respectively). To conclude, the MCH handbook did not exert a significant influence in improving maternal knowledge levels around pregnancy and the associated obstetric danger signs.

FACTORS RELATED WITH THE COMPLIANCE OF FILLING THE MOTHER AND CHILD HEALTH (MCH) HANDBOOK IN POSTPARTUM CARE OF PRIVATELY PRACTICING MIDWIFE (PPM)

In midwifery care standard, midwives should carry out complete, accurate, brief and clear midwifery recording of the findings in providing midwifery care. Based on preliminary survey conducted on 5 PPM , it was found that 100% midwives did not fill the MCH handbook of postpartum care. This study aims to determine the factors related to compliance of MCH handbook by midwives in post partum care in PPM. This was descriptive analytic study with cross sectional design. . This study was conducted in September 2016 - July 2017.The population in this study is all PPM in Pekanbaru totalling 59 samples using purposive sampling. Data analysis was performed using Chi Square. The results showed that most midwives did not fill out the MCH handbook 81.4% .There was a significant relation between knowledge (p-value = 0,002) and motivation (p-value = 0,001) with compliance of MCH handbook by midwivese in postpartum care, there was no significant relation between duration of work (p-value = 0,468) in compliance of filling out MCH handbook. It is recommended for association of midwives to be more active in evaluation and monitoring through giving reward / punishment about filling out the MCH handbook

The use of Maternal and Child Health (MCH) handbook improves healthy behavior of pregnant women

Objectives: To investigate correlation between maternal and child health (MCH) handbook utilization and healthy behavior of trimester III pregnant women.Materials and Methods: This study used Spearman-Rho non-parametric correlation test with 95% of the Power of Test.Results: The correlation between MCH utilization and the healthy behavior of trimester III pregnant women showed correlation coefficient (r) of 0.530 and CI 95% 0.163-0.638, indicating middle level of correlation with p-value of 0.01 (p&lt;0.05), showing statistical significance.Conclusion: MCH (maternal and child health) handbook utilization improves healthy behavior of trimester III pregnant women. The higher the utilization of MCH, the healthier the behavior of trimester III pregnant women.

Cost savings through implementation of an integrated home-based record: a case study in Vietnam

ObjectivesIn Vietnam, there are three major home-based records (HBRs) for maternal and child health (MCH) that have been already nationally scaled up, i.e., Maternal and Child Health Handbook (MCH Handbook), Child Vaccination Handbook, and Child Growth Monitoring Chart. The MCH Handbook covers all the essential recording items that are included in the other two. This overlapping of recording items between the HBRs is likely to result in inefficient use of both financial and human resources. This study is aimed at estimating the magnitude of cost savings that are expected to be realized through implementing exclusively the MCH Handbook by terminating the other two. Study designSecondary data collection and analyses on HBR production and distribution costs and health workers' opportunity costs. MethodsThrough multiplying the unit costs by their respective quantity multipliers, recurrent costs of operations of three HBRs were estimated. Moreover, magnitude of cost savings likely to be realized was estimated, by calculating recurrent costs overlapping between the three HBRs. ResultsIt was estimated that implementing exclusively the MCH Handbook would lead to cost savings of United States dollar 3.01 million per annum. The amount estimated is minimum cost savings because only recurrent cost elements (HBR production and distribution costs and health workers' opportunity costs) were incorporated into the estimation. Further indirect cost savings could be expected through reductions in health expenditures, as the use of the MCH Handbook would contribute to prevention of maternal and child illnesses by increasing antenatal care visits and breastfeeding practices. ConclusionTo avoid wasting financial and human resources, the MCH Handbook should be exclusively implemented by abolishing the other two HBRs. This study is globally an initial attempt to estimate cost savings to be realized through avoiding overlapping operations between multiple HBRs for MCH.

Utilisation of maternal and child health handbook in Mongolia: A cross-sectional study

Objective: This study investigated the use of a Maternal and Child Health (MCH) handbook, and related factors, in Mongolia. Design: Population-based cross-sectional study. Setting: Bulgan Province, Mongolia. Method: MCH handbook use was determined by examining whether participants had read it or recorded their health-related information into it. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to reveal factors related to MCH handbook utilisation. Results: Of the 716 participants, 631 (88.1%) read the MCH handbook and 428 (59.8%) recorded their health-related information in it. Mothers with middle or high educational attainment were more likely to have read it than were those with low educational attainment (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 2.52, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.41–4.50; AOR = 3.19, 95% CI = 1.29–7.93, respectively). Literate women and those who had been taught to use the handbook were more likely to read it (AOR = 3.19, 95% CI = 1.68–6.05; AOR = 2.42, 95% CI = 1.31–4.46, respectively). Mothers with a middle or very high wealth index were more likely to have read it than were those with a very low index. Mothers with middle or high educational attainment were more likely to make records in it than were those with low attainment. Mothers who were taught to use the handbook were more likely to make records in it, while those who had children with chronic diseases were less likely to do so. Conclusion: Women’s literacy levels, educational attainment, economic status and effective explanation of its usage must be considered in order to enhance the handbook’s effectiveness.

Maternal and Child Health Handbook use for maternal and child care: a cluster randomized controlled study in rural Java, Indonesia.

BackgroundEffectiveness of the Maternal and Child Health Handbook (MCHHB), a home-based booklet for pregnancy, delivery and postnatal/child health, was evaluated on care acquisition and home care in rural Java, a low service-coverage area.MethodsWe conducted a health centre-based randomized trial, with a 2-year follow-up. Intervention included (i) MCHHB provision at antenatal care visits; (ii) records and guides by health personnel on and with the MCHHB; and (iii) sensitization of care by volunteers using the MCHHB.ResultsThe follow-up rate was 70.2% (183, intervention area; 271, control area). Respondents in the intervention area received consecutive MCH services including two doses of tetanus toxoid injections and antenatal care four times or more during pregnancy, professional assistance during child delivery and vitamin A supplements administration to their children, after adjustment for confounding variables and cluster effects (OR = 2.03, 95% CI: 1.19–3.47). In the intervention area, home care (continued breastfeeding; introducing complementary feeding; proper feeding order; varied foods feeding; self-feeding training; and care for cough), perceived support by husbands, and lower underweight rates and stunting rates among children were observed.ConclusionMCHHB use promoted continuous care acquisition and care at home from pregnancy to early child-rearing stages in rural Java.

Analysis of factors related to behavior cognition and effects on pregnant women in maternal and child health (Mch) handbook utilisation

Background: Mothers� and childrens� mortality remains a problem, especially in developing countries. Various policies have been introduced by the government to reduce maternal and infant mortality, one of which is the use of Maternal and Child Health Handbooks (MCH) for pregnant women and mothers with toddlers. This study wants to explore factors related to perceived benefits, perceived bridges, and self-efficacy of pregnant women using MCH Handbooks. Method: This study was a cross-sectional study conducted on pregnant women and mothers with toddlers in health centres in Surabaya. The number of respondents in this study were 114 selected by simple random sampling. Results: There is a significant relationship between age (p = 0.010) and pregnancy history (p = 0.000) with obstacles perceived by respondent in the use of MCH Handbooks. There is a significant relationship between education levels (p = 0.040), pregnancy history (p = 0.001) and number of children (p = 0.002) with self efficacy in the use of MCH Handbooks. There is a significant relationship between income (p = 0.004) and perceived benefits in the use of MCH Handbooks. Conclusion: The factors that are related to the obstacles perceived by mothers in the use of MCH Handbooks are age and pregnancy history. The level of education, the history of pregnancy and the number of children related to the mother�s self-efficacy in using the MCH Handbook and income are related to the benefits perceived in using the MCH Handbook. © 2018, Indian Journal of Public Health Research and Development. All rights reserved.

Core factors promoting a continuum of care for maternal, newborn, and child health in Japan.

Providing a continuum of care (CoC) is important strategy for improving maternal, newborn, and child health (MNCH). Japan's current very low maternal and infant mortality rates suggest that its CoC for MNCH is good. In this paper, we attempt to clarify how CoC and low mortality rates are being maintained in Japan, by examining the entire MNCH service provision system. First, we examine two important tools for integrated service provision, the Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Handbook and registration of pregnant women with local governments, both introduced in 1942. Second, we explore the incentives provided by the MNCH system that prompt actors to participate in it. The three actors identified are service users (e.g., mothers and babies), medical professionals, and local governments. Through system design, all three actors benefit in ways that incentivize them to use MNCH services, which consequently connects service users with resources: all service users regardless of financial status, nationality, and location can receive free MNCH services such as antenatal care, assistance with childbirth, postnatal care, and immunizations; using the handbook, service users obtain health information, and medical professionals obtain the health records of pregnant women and their children as well as access examination fees from the local government by submitting vouchers in the handbook; local governments can then identify pregnant women for follow-up and provide health information and administrative services. As a result, the coverage rate of the MCH Handbook has reached 100% and MNCH services coverage could potentially reach the same level.

Association Between Maternal and Child Health Handbook and Quality of Antenatal Care Services in Palestine.

Objectives The Maternal and Child Health (MCH) handbook is an integrated home-based record allowing clients to keep records on the continuum of care for mothers and children. This study aimed to assess associations between MCH handbook ownership and receipt of selected content of antenatal care services in Palestine. Methods Distribution of the MCH handbook in Palestine was launched in 2008. We used an anonymous data set of the Palestinian Family Survey 2010 and analyzed the data of 2026 women who had live births within the past 12 months. Descriptive statistical analysis was conducted to assess differences between MCH handbook holders and non-holders. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to estimate adjusted odds ratios of the effects of MCH handbook use according to proxy indicators of antenatal care quality. Results Accounting for about 60% (n = 1202) of study participants, handbook holders were more likely to be primipara, live in the Gaza Strip, live in refugee camps, and live within a 30-min distance to antenatal care facilities; however, household wealth levels for handbook holders were lower compared with non-holders. Handbook users had significantly higher odds of receiving all three kinds of medical tests and receiving information on five or more health education topics as part of antenatal care. The higher odds remained after adjusting for possible confounding variables, such as household wealth, region, residential area, birth order of the child, frequency of antenatal care, and time required to reach antenatal care facilities. Conclusions for Practice Use of the handbook as a portable checklist possibly promoted providers' higher adherence to the national guideline.

The Effect of "MCH Handbook" Utilization Training on Maternal Capability in Early Detecting Development and Stimulating Growth of Children Under the Age of Five Years

The Effect of "MCH Handbook" Utilization Training on Maternal Capability in Early Detecting Development and Stimulating Growth of Children Under the Age of Five Years

Determinan Pemanfaatan Buku Kesehatan Ibu dan Anak (Kia) Oleh Ibu Hamil Di Puskesmas Wanakerta Kabupaten Karawang Tahun 2015

MCH handbook is expected to increase community participation in controlling maternal health. Results of the coverage achievement of this handbook until December 2014 from Kerawang Health Office amounted to 63.49% and the coverage of V1 was 93.37% and this indicates a difference in which in fact both coverages should be the same as the MCH handbook is given when mothers check their pregnancy for the first time. This study aimed to obtain the utilization of MCH Handbook by pregnant women and factors associated with the utilization of MCH handbook in pregnant women in Wanakerta health center, Karawang regency in 2015. The study design was cross-sectiona The population in this study were all pregnant women at Wanakerta health center who did checkups and the sample was part of pregnant women who already had the MCH handbook, and came to checkups at Wanakerta health center in June 2015. The results of this study showed that the variables associated with the use of MCH handbook in this study were education, attitudes, support for health personnel, health cadre support, and family support. Meanwhile, age, parity, and socioeconomy were not related to the utilization of MCH handbook by pregnant women.

THE EFFECT OF EDUCATION USING MODIFICATION MODULE TOWARDS NUTRITIONAL INTAKE DURING PREGNANCY IN KENDARI, INDONESIA

Background: Energy metabolism speeds up during pregnancy that requires pregnant women to have extra amount of nutritions. Provision of education on nutrition during pregnancy is an effort to prevent and tackle malnutrition.Aim: This study aimed to determine the effect of education using modification module towards nutritional intake during pregnancy in Kendari, IndonesiaMethods: This was Quasi Experimental study with pre-post design. There were 4 groups in this study, which were: 1) The group that received educational intervention using a modification module from the MHC book of the Department of Health, 2) The group that received educational intervention using MHC book of the Department of Health, 3) The group that only used modification modules from MHC book of the Department of Health, and 4) The group that only used the MHC book of Department of Health. The intervention was given for 6 months. Seventy eight of 4-months pregnant women were selected in this study. Data were collected by using 24 hours food recall instrument, and questionnaire adopted from Child and Maternal Nutrition Survey’s Questionnaire of Faculty of Public Health, Hasanuddin University. Data were analyzed by using Wilcoxon test and Kruskal Wallis test.Results: Results showed there was an effect of education by using the module modifications to the intake of nutritions during pregnancy. Increased nutrient intake was higher in pregnant women using a module class modifications.Conclusion: Education affects nutritional intake of pregnant women. Changes in nutritional intake was higher in group 1 (education modules with modifications), compared with the education group MCH handbook. It is suggested that mothers should improve the nutrition during pregnancy for the better growth of the fetus, composition and metabolic changes in the mother's body.

Assessment Study of Motivation and Commitment Midwives Puskesmas in Utilization MCH Handbook in Indonesia (A case study in Batu, Cianjur and East Belitung Regency)

Background: Utilization of KIA guidebook in health centers not maximum eventhough there are enough books published Ministry of Health as a reference and has given training especially to midwives. This study aims to assess the motivation and commitment of midwives in the use of the KIA guidebook in Indonesia. Methods: The study was conducted in three districts and four health centers purposively determined from each district, each consisting of 2 health centers PONED and Non PONED. In each health center will be taken up to 10 midwives in both MCH services in health centers or its networks proportionally selected that have been works at least 2 years in a health center or its network. If the number of midwives<10 person, it will be taken entirely. Data collected through interviews using a questionnaire and a check list. Results: The number of samples were 113 midwives consisted of Kota Batu (35), East Belitung(37 people) and Cianjur Regency as many as 41 person. Motivation midwifes in Batu and Cianjur district in the utilization of MCH guidebook were quite well, whereas in East Belitung province was well motivation. Commitment midwives in three districts/cities mostly had good commitment. Conclusion: This study concluded that the motivation and commitment of midwives in applying the guidebook were considered quite good. Recommendation: Need to improve supervision, technical guidance and providing feedback to increase the motivation of midwives. Giving a clear assignment and guidance as well as the availability of SOP composedof guidebook need to be realized as a shared commitment to implement the appropriate service guidebook.

Knowledge, attitude and practices: assessing maternal and child health care handbook intervention in Vietnam.

BackgroundMaternal and Child Health (MCH) Handbook, an integrated MCH home-based record, was piloted in four provinces of Vietnam (Dien Bien, Hoa Binh, Thanh Hoa and An Giang). The study is aimed at assessing the changes in pregnant women’s behavior towards the frequencies of their antenatal care service utilizations and their subsequent breastfeeding practices up to six months of age, through the MCH Handbook intervention. This is because the levels of pregnant women’s knowledge, attitude and practices (KAP) towards their antenatal care service utilizations and exclusive breastfeeding practices have been previously neither analyzed nor reported in relation to MCH home-based records in the country.MethodsTo compare pre-intervention baseline in 2011, post-intervention data were collected in 2013. Structured interviews were conducted with randomly selected 810 mothers of children 6-18 months of age in the four provinces. A focus group discussion among mothers in each of four provinces was conducted.ResultsThere was no significant difference in pregnant women’s knowledge about the need for ≥3 antenatal care visits between pre- and post-interventions. Yet, the proportion of pregnant women who made ≥3 antenatal care visits in post-intervention was significantly higher than in pre-intervention. Thus, MCH Handbook is likely to have contributed to practicing ≥3 antenatal care visits, by changing their attitude. The proportion of mothers who know the need for exclusive breastfeeding necessary during the initial six months significantly increased between pre- and post-interventions. The proportion of those practicing exclusive breastfeeding significantly increased between pre- and post-interventions, too. Thus, MCH Handbook is likely to have contributed to the increase in both knowledge about and practices of exclusive breastfeeding.ConclusionThe results of study imply that MCH Handbook contributed to the increase in pregnant women’s practices of ≥3 antenatal care visits and in their knowledge about and practice of exclusive breastfeeding. While there is room for improvement in the level of its data recording, the study confirmed that MCH Handbook plays a catalytic role in ensuring a continuum of maternal, newborn and child care. Note that this study is the first study that attempted to estimate pregnant women’s behavioral changes through MCH Handbook intervention in Vietnam.

Effectiveness of and factors related to possession of a mother and child health handbook: an analysis using propensity score matching.

Mother and Child Health handbooks (MCH handbooks) serve as useful health education tools for mothers and sources of information that allow health care professionals to understand patient status. Therefore, it is necessary to clarify the effectiveness of and identify the factors related to possession of an MCH handbook among parents in rural Western Kenya using propensity score matching (PSM). A community-based cross-sectional survey using a structured questionnaire was conducted in rural western Kenya from August to September, 2011. We targeted 2560 mothers with children aged 12-24 months. Both PSM and multivariate logistic analyses were used in this study. Impacts of 5.9, 9.4, and 12.6 percentage points for higher health knowledge and for proper health-seeking behavior for fever and diarrhea, respectively, were statistically significant. The significant factors affecting possession of the MCH Handbook were the child's sex, the caregiver's relationship to the child, maternal age, health knowledge, birth interval, household wealth index and CHW performance accordingly. An MCH handbook was an effective tool for improving both health knowledge and health-seeking behavior in Kenya. The further distribution and utilization of an MCH handbook is expected to be an effective way to improve both maternal and child health.

The Maternal and Child Health (MCH) handbook in Mongolia: a cluster-randomized, controlled trial.

ObjectiveTo assess the effectiveness of the Maternal and Child Health (MCH) handbook in Mongolia to increase antenatal clinic attendance, and to enhance health-seeking behaviors and other health outcomes.MethodsA cluster randomized trial was conducted using the translated MCH handbook in Bulgan, Mongolia to assess its effectiveness in promoting antenatal care attendance. Pregnant women were recruited from 18 randomly allocated districts using shuffled, sealed envelopes. The handbook was implemented immediately for women at their first antenatal visit in the intervention group, and nine months later in the control group. The primary outcome was the number of antenatal care visits of all women residing in the selected districts. Cluster effects were adjusted for using generalized estimation equation. Masking was not possible among care providers, pregnant women and assessors.FindingsNine districts were allocated to the intervention group and the remainder to the control group. The intervention group (253 women) attended antenatal clinics on average 6•9 times, while the control group (248 women) attended 6•2 times. Socioeconomic status affected the frequency of clinic attendance: women of higher socioeconomic status visited antenatal clinics more often. Pregnancy complications were more likely to be detected among women using the handbook.ConclusionThe MCH handbook promotes continuous care and showed an increase in antenatal visits among the intervention group. The intervention will help to identify maternal morbidities during pregnancy and promote health-seeking behaviors.Trial RegistrationUMIN Clinical Trial Registry UMIN000001748

Factors affecting the utilisation of maternal, newborn, and child health services in Indonesia: the role of the Maternal and Child Health Handbook

There are approximately 22 million children below the age of five who currently reside in Indonesia (population 240 million). The infantmortality rate in Indonesia has decreased from 49 per 1000 live births in 1998, to 27 in 2010. Further, the maternal mortality ratio has decreased from 340 per 100,000 live births in 2000, to 220 in 2010, and the national coverage of priority interventions has increased, including interventions providing a maternal, newborn, and child health (MNCH) continuum. However, the remaining coverage gaps in MNCH care indicate the need for maternal and child care to continue throughout the prenatal and postnatal periods to achieve the country's UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). A 2004 ministerial decree declared the 48-page Maternal and Child Health Handbook (MCHHB) the only home-based record of MNCH in Indonesia. A following 2008 ministerial decree identified it as a standard tool for minimum health service provision in decentralized regional settings. Major professional and non-governmental organisations and

Effect of a maternal and child health handbook on maternal knowledge and behaviour: a community-based controlled trial in rural Cambodia.

Maternal and child health (MCH) handbooks are comprehensive home-based booklets designed to integrate MCH records. Although empirical evidence suggests the handbooks are more effective than current card-type records, this has not been scientifically demonstrated. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the impact of the MCH handbook on maternal knowledge and behaviour as measured by antenatal care (ANC) attendance, delivery with skilled birth attendants (SBAs) and delivery at a health facility. The Cambodian version of the MCH handbook was developed and introduced in two health centres, and two other health centres served as controls. Pre-intervention and post-intervention surveys were conducted with 320 women from the intervention areas and 320 women from the control areas who had given birth within 1 year before the survey. We evaluated the impact of the handbook by using difference-in-differences (DID) analysis and calculated adjusted odds ratios for pre–post changes in key indicators by using logistic regression. In addition, we interviewed multiparous women, health staff and health volunteers to assess the acceptance and cultural appropriateness of the handbook. Content analysis was performed with the English-translated transcriptions. The DID analyses revealed that all key indicators increased in the intervention group against counterfactual assumptions. The intervention also increased maternal knowledge of all topics addressed except for the risk of severe bleeding after delivery; this may be attributable to the influence of cultural belief. Logistic regression showed that the intervention increased ANC attendance, delivery with SBAs and delivery at a health facility, even after adjusting for maternal age, education and economic conditions. The qualitative data indicated that the handbook was well received and culturally appropriate. Thus, the MCH handbook is a reasonable and superior alternative to current card-type maternal records.

The role of home-based records in the establishment of a continuum of care for mothers, newborns, and children in Indonesia

BackgroundThe provision of appropriate care along the continuum of maternal, newborn, and child health (MNCH) service delivery is a challenge in developing countries. To improve this, in the 1990s, Indonesia introduced the maternal and child health (MCH) handbook, as an integrated form of parallel home-based records.ObjectiveThis study aimed to identify the roles of home-based records both before and after childbirth, especially in provinces where the MCH handbook (MCHHB) was extensively promoted, by examining their association with MNCH service uptake.DesignThis was a cross-sectional study using nationally representative data sets, the Indonesia Demographic and Health Surveys (IDHSs) from 1997, 2002–2003, and 2007. The IDHS identifies respondents’ ownership of home-based records before and after childbirth. Multivariate logistic regression was used to examine associations between record ownership and service utilisation in national data and data from two provinces, West Sumatra and North Sulawesi, where ownership of pre- and post-natal records served as a proxy for MCHHB ownership.ResultsPre- and post-natal record ownership increased from 1997 to 2007. Provincial data from 2007 showed that handbook ownership was associated with having delivery assisted by trained personnel [adjusted odds ratio (aOR): 2.12, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.05–4.25], receiving maternal care (aOR: 3.92, 95% CI: 2.35–6.52), completing 12 doses of child immunisation for seven diseases (aOR: 4.86, 95% CI: 2.37–9.95), and having immunisation before and after childbirth (aOR: 5.40, 95% CI: 2.28–12.76), whereas national data showed that service utilisation was associated with ownership of both records compared with owning a single record or none.ConclusionOur results suggest that pre- and post-natal home-based record use may be effective for ensuring service utilisation. In addition, since the handbook is an efficient home-based record for use throughout children's life courses, it could be an effective tool for promoting the continuum of MNCH care in Indonesia.