The Relationship Between Family Cultural Practices and Childbirth Behavior in Cikunir Village Tasikmalaya Regency

Background: Family cultural practices may influence decision-making and mothers' behavior in seeking childbirth assistance. Beliefs about the roles of husbands or family members, inherited cultural advice, perceptions of health-service costs, and acceptance of referral may affect childbirth-related decisions. This study examined the relationship between family cultural practices and childbirth behavior in Cikunir Village, Tasikmalaya Regency. Objective: To describe family cultural practices and analyze their relationship with childbirth behavior among postpartum mothers in Cikunir Village, Tasikmalaya Regency. Methods: This quantitative analytical observational study used a cross-sectional design. The population comprised postpartum mothers in Cikunir Village, and the sample included 22 mothers who were 1–2 months postpartum. Total sampling was used, including all eligible members of the population. Results: In the group with less-supportive cultural practices, 3 mothers (37.5%) had good childbirth behavior, while 5 (62.5%) had moderate/poor behavior. In the group with moderately supportive/supportive practices, 5 mothers (35.7%) had good behavior and 9 (64.3%) had moderate/poor behavior. Fisher's exact test yielded p = 1.000 (p > 0.05), OR = 1.08, and 95% CI = 0.18–6.54, indicating no statistically significant relationship. Conclusion: Family cultural practices remain evident among postpartum mothers in Cikunir Village, particularly in family decision-making, cultural advice, perceptions of health services, and attitudes toward medical referral. Midwives should provide culturally sensitive education and birth preparedness and involve husbands and families in decision-making. Limitations: The small sample (22 respondents) and the study's restriction to one village limit generalizability. The cross-sectional design cannot establish causality. Future studies should include larger samples and wider geographic coverage to provide stronger empirical evidence.