Midwives’ Communication in Improving Maternal Health Literacy: A Systematic Literature Review on Information Delivery, Patient Engagement, and Health Behavior

Abstract

This study aimed to synthesize scientific evidence regarding the role of midwives’ communication in supporting maternal health literacy during pregnancy, particularly in the aspects of information delivery, maternal engagement, and health behavior. This study employed a Systematic Literature Review method following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses 2020 guidelines. Literature searches were conducted through PubMed, ScienceDirect, Google Scholar, and Garuda for articles published from January 2022 to February 2025 in Indonesian and English. Articles were selected based on predetermined inclusion and exclusion criteria, and data were extracted based on authors, publication year, research title, study design, sample, instruments, and main findings. Data were analyzed using narrative synthesis by grouping findings according to health information delivery, maternal engagement, maternal health literacy, health behavior, and the relationships among these aspects. The synthesis of eight articles showed that interpersonal communication characterized by openness, empathy, support, positive attitudes, equality, two-way communication, and feedback can support mothers’ understanding and engagement in obtaining health information. Maternal health literacy was also associated with mothers’ ability to use health information and utilize antenatal care services, including adherence to recommended antenatal visits or contacts. Thus, midwives’ communication plays an interactive role in supporting maternal health literacy through understandable information delivery, maternal engagement, and the use of health information in determining health behaviors.