Strengthening Community-Based Maternal Health: Pregnancy Complications, Associated Risk Factors, and Development of an Enhanced Prenatal Program in Selected Barangays of Tanudan, Kalinga

Pregnancy complications remain a concern in geographically isolated communities where distance, transportation difficulties, and cultural barriers affect access to maternal care. This study examined pregnancy complications in selected barangays of Tanudan, Kalinga, and associated factors to inform enhancements to a community-based prenatal program. A descriptive comparative design combined Rural Health Unit records for 2021–2025 with survey responses from 93 mothers selected through stratified random sampling in Dacalan, Gaang, Lower Lubo, Upper Lubo, and Babbanoy. A structured questionnaire collected demographic, socioeconomic, and health profiles and ratings of social, economic, behavioral, and environmental factors. The questionnaire underwent expert validation and yielded a Cronbach's alpha of 0.78. Frequencies, means, prevalence calculations, and statistical comparisons were used to summarize the data. Health records documented 99 pregnancy complications, with pregnancy-induced hypertension the most frequent condition. The overall mean for associated factors was 1.76, interpreted as rarely at risk. Behavioral factors had the highest category mean of 2.06, followed by environmental factors at 1.75, economic factors at 1.68, and social factors at 1.54. The reported analyses identified significant relationships between complications and behavioral factors (p = .002) and environmental factors (p = .03). The findings support attention to prenatal attendance, maternal health education, and access to timely care. The proposed InaAlerto program combines barangay learning sessions, partner participation, mobile prenatal services, emergency transport arrangements, and health communication in locally understood languages. These proposed measures provide a basis for cooperation among local government, health personnel, families, and community leaders to strengthen culturally responsive maternal care in remote communities. Further assessment is needed before program implementation and evaluation.