JurnalPost.com, Makassar – A team of lecturers from the Faculty of Public Health at Universitas Muslim Indonesia (FKM UMI) conducted a community outreach program focused on education regarding sleep hygiene and mindfulness for pregnant women at the Tamalanrea Jaya Community Health Center (Puskesmas) in Makassar, held from 20–21 October 2026.
The activity aimed to improve pregnant women's understanding of the importance of maintaining sleep quality, managing stress, and recognizing risk factors for hypertension during pregnancy.
This community service program, under the novice scheme, was themed "Empowering Pregnant Women in Implementing Sleep Hygiene Through Mindfulness Education for the Prevention of Pregnancy Hypertension at the Tamalanrea Jaya Community Health Center, Makassar."
The program was led by UMI lecturer Bd. A. Tensiani A.AS, S.ST., M.Kes., alongside team member Enne, SKM., M.Kes. It involved midwives, health volunteers, and pregnant women within the working area of the Tamalanrea Jaya Health Center.
The Importance of Sleep Quality and Mental Health During Pregnancy
Sleep disturbances and psychological pressure are common issues faced by pregnant women, particularly during the second and third trimesters. Physical changes, hormonal conditions, and anxiety regarding childbirth can affect rest quality and emotional well-being.
These conditions require attention because sleep disorders and prolonged stress can be linked to changes in blood pressure regulation. However, pregnancy-related hypertension and preeclampsia are medical conditions involving various risk factors that require monitoring and management by healthcare professionals.
To date, prenatal care has largely focused on pregnancy check-ups, blood pressure monitoring, and nutritional needs. Meanwhile, education on healthy sleep habits and stress management remains a crucial aspect that needs to be strengthened.
Through this outreach activity, the FKM UMI lecturer team sought to introduce an educational approach that is easy to understand and can be applied by pregnant women in their daily lives.
Teaching Pregnant Women Sleep Hygiene and Mindfulness Techniques
During the educational session, participants received an explanation of the concept of sleep hygiene, which refers to a set of habits aimed at creating healthier and higher-quality sleep patterns.
The material covered the importance of maintaining a regular sleep and wake schedule, creating a comfortable bedroom environment, limiting caffeine consumption, and reducing the use of electronic devices before bedtime.
Pregnant women were also introduced to simple relaxation routines before sleep to help calm both the body and mind.
In addition to the presentation, participants engaged in mindfulness practice through conscious breathing exercises, body relaxation, and short meditation sessions.
These techniques were introduced as a way to help manage stress and increase awareness of the body's condition during pregnancy.
The activity was interactive, featuring presentations, group discussions, and hands-on practice. Participants had the opportunity to learn steps they could apply independently at home.
To support their learning, the team distributed leaflets containing guides on healthy sleep habits and mindfulnesstechniques.
These educational materials are intended to help pregnant women recall the information provided and serve as a resource for their families.
Strengthening the Role of Midwives and Health Volunteers
This program not only focuses on increasing the knowledge of pregnant women but also encourages the involvement of midwives and health volunteers in providing ongoing support.
Midwives play a vital role in prenatal check-ups, blood pressure monitoring, and providing health counseling to pregnant women.
By strengthening education on sleep hygiene and mindfulness, midwives are expected to provide additional support regarding sleep habits and stress management as part of antenatal care.
Meanwhile, health volunteers are expected to help disseminate information and provide support to pregnant women through community health post (Posyandu) activities and local outreach.
The involvement of these two groups is essential to ensure that the education provided continues after the outreach program concludes.
This program also supports the enhancement of maternal health services at the Tamalanrea Jaya Health Center, particularly by integrating attention to sleep quality and psychological conditions with routine prenatal check-ups.
Blood pressure monitoring remains the primary step for early detection of potential pregnancy hypertension. Pregnant women must also recognize danger signs, such as severe headaches, vision disturbances, upper abdominal pain, and sudden swelling, which require immediate medical attention.
Education on healthy sleep and stress management is intended to complement, not replace, medical examinations or treatment.
UMI's Commitment to Community Service
The implementation of this program is part of the commitment of the Universitas Muslim Indonesia Institute for Community Service (LPkM) to fulfill the Tri Dharma of Higher Education, specifically community service.
Through collaboration between the university, the health center, midwives, and health volunteers, this activity is expected to improve health literacy while strengthening the independence of pregnant women in maintaining their health.
Program sustainability is a primary goal, particularly through ongoing support and routine education for pregnant women in the Tamalanrea Jaya Health Center's service area.
With improved understanding of healthy sleep patterns, stress management, and the importance of regular prenatal check-ups, pregnant women are expected to experience a more comfortable pregnancy and receive earlier intervention if health issues arise.
This activity also demonstrates the university's contribution to supporting the quality of maternal and child health services through education, empowerment, and collaboration with public health facilities.
Comments 0
Write a Comment Share your response