Information Resilience in Overcoming Vulnerability of Reproductive Health in Young Women

Abstract

Reproductive function is constructed by the community as the responsibility of women, with their given sex. In fact, they must bear the consequence of violations of sexual behavior. This paper reveals the sexual and social risks faced by young women related to reproductive health in Bandung City. Using a qualitative descriptive paradigm with case study method, data were collected through in-depth interviews and documentation studies. The informants were drawn from Indonesian Family Planning Association (PKBI) in West Java, Indonesia. The results show the risk of sexual vulnerability such as unwanted pregnancy or abortion is clearly only experienced by young women. Shame, and socially negative stigma become a heavy burden that must be experienced by young women. Health communication intervention is carried out through multi-level communication where group and mass communication are used for socialization and education of reproductive health. Interpersonal communication is used in the context of prevention and assistance in cases of reproductive health.Strengthening the knowledge of adolescent reproductive health in the city of Bandung was carried out by PKBI through the provision of information to schools in the city of Bandung. The form of communication used is group communication by holding lectures, dialogues and discussions. While interpersonal communication is carried out in prevention and assistance programs for adolescents. Mediated interpersonal channel is also used through hot-line service. The level of communication among adolescents about reproductive health in the city of Bandung is carried out through 3 levels of communication for various types of management, namely: (a) Mass communication as precaution through information dissemination and socialization, (b) Group communication as preventive action through educational programs, (c) Interpersonal communication to overcome cases that require medical action and mentoring involving PKBI volunteers and activists.