Enhancing the Capacity of Private Practice Midwives Through Balanced Counseling Strategy Training in Family Planning

Abstract

Effective contraceptive counseling is essential to ensure that clients make informed, voluntary decisions regarding family planning. However, inconsistencies in counseling practices among private practice midwives often arise due to insufficient training in structured communication and counseling techniques. This community engagement initiative aimed to enhance the professional capacity of 15 independent midwives in the Sunter area, North Jakarta, through a targeted training program on the Balanced Counseling Strategy (BCS) for Family Planning. The training, conducted over three days from August 23 to 25, 2024, emphasized evidence based counseling frameworks, women centered communication, and the appropriate use flash card (job aids) to facilitate contraceptive decision making. The training employed interactive methods, including case-based discussions, simulations, and role-playing, to reinforce learning outcomes and strengthen practical skills. The participants demonstrated high levels of engagement and proactiveness throughout the sessions. One of the key outcomes was the emergence of critical reflections by midwives on their prior counseling practices, highlighting a shift toward more respectful, bias-free, and client-informed interactions. This indicates that exposure to structured counseling frameworks like BCS not only enhances technical competence but also fosters transformative learning. The intervention underscores the importance of capacity-building efforts tailored to independent midwives as frontline providers in reproductive health services.