The Effect of Betel Leaf Decoction on Reducing Vaginal Discharge in Pregnant Women at the Metro Pusat Community Health Center

Abstract

ABSTRACTVaginal discharge is one of the reproductive health problems commonly experienced by pregnant women. During pregnancy, hormonal changes cause increased vaginal secretions that can trigger the growth of pathogenic fungi and bacteria, increasing the risk of pathological vaginal discharge. Betel leaves have long been empirically used by Indonesian society as a natural antiseptic for treating vaginal discharge. This study aims to determine the effect of betel leaf decoction on reducing vaginal discharge in pregnant women at the Metro Pusat Primary Health Center. This study used a quasi-experimental design with pre-test and post-test with control group. The sample consisted of 40 pregnant women in the second and third trimesters who experienced vaginal discharge, divided into intervention group (n=20) and control group (n=20) using purposive sampling. The intervention group was given betel leaf decoction (10 leaves in 1 liter of water) for perineal hygiene for 7 days. Data analysis used Wilcoxon and Mann-Whitney tests. The Wilcoxon test showed p = 0.000 (p < 0.05) in the intervention group, and the Mann-Whitney test showed a significant difference between intervention and control groups (p = 0.000). After 7 days of intervention, 70% of respondents experienced mild vaginal discharge and 30% had no vaginal discharge.There is a significant effect of betel leaf decoction administration on reducing vaginal discharge in pregnant women. Betel leaves can be a safe and affordable complementary therapy alternative in managing vaginal discharge in pregnant women.Keywords: