MATERNAL NUTRITION LITERACY AND ANEMIA PREVENTION BEHAVIOR AMONG PREGNANT WOMEN IN RURAL COMMUNITIES

Irwan Hadi; Syamsul Bahri; Ahmad Rodia Satriawan

doi:10.55681/aohj.v3i2.565

Authors

Irwan Hadi Institut Teknologi dan Kesehatan Aspirasi
Syamsul Bahri Universitas Pendidikan Mandalika
Ahmad Rodia Satriawan Institut Teknologi dan Kesehatan Aspirasi

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.55681/aohj.v3i2.565

Keywords:

Maternal nutrition literacy, Anemia prevention behavior, Pregnant women

Abstract

Maternal nutrition literacy is essential for translating antenatal nutrition information into daily behaviors that prevent anemia, particularly in rural communities where food access, health services, household resources, and cultural practices may shape dietary choices. This study examined the relationship between maternal nutrition literacy and anemia prevention behavior among pregnant women in community-based rural settings. A simulation-based cross-sectional design used 360 synthetic pregnancy records representing six hypothetical rural service areas. Variables included functional nutrition literacy, knowledge of iron-rich foods, dietary diversity, iron–folic acid supplementation adherence, meal practices, antenatal attendance, family support, and anemia-prevention behavior. The simulated findings indicated that women with higher nutrition literacy demonstrated greater adherence to iron–folic acid supplementation, more diverse diets, stronger recognition of anemia-related risks, and more consistent preventive behavior. Adequate literacy remained positively associated with prevention behavior after adjustment for education, parity, household economic category, antenatal attendance, and family support. However, literacy alone did not eliminate structural barriers related to food affordability, supplement side effects, distance, and limited dietary availability. The findings emphasize that nutrition counseling should move beyond information delivery toward practical skills for interpreting food choices, managing supplementation, responding to side effects, and using locally available nutrient-rich foods. Midwives, nutritionists, community health workers, and families can jointly reinforce these behaviors. Prospective field research is required to test the model using real hemoglobin measurements, validated literacy instruments, dietary assessment, and longitudinal pregnancy outcomes in rural Indonesian populations. This interpretation supports practical, culturally appropriate, evidence-informed nutrition

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Noptriani, S., & Simbolon, D. (2022). Probability of non-compliance to the consumption of iron tablets in pregnant women in Indonesia. Journal of Preventive Medicine and Hygiene, 63(3), E456–E463. https://doi.org/10.15167/2421-4248/jpmh2022.63.3.2340

Getachew, M., Abay, M., Zelalem, H., Gebremedhin, T., Grum, T., & Bayray, A. (2022). Adherence to iron and folic acid supplementation intake among pregnant women: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Midwifery, 104, 103185. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.midw.2021.103185

Prihanti, G. S., Imawan, R., Iskandar, F. Y., Diastuti, L. P., Adawiyah, R., & Safrillia, S. (2022). The effect of SMS reminders and counseling on pregnant women’s adherence to consuming iron tablets. Jurnal Berkala Epidemiologi, 10(3), 246–255. https://doi.org/10.20473/jbe.V10I32022.246-255

Cai, Z., Li, L., Feng, J., et al. (2023). Dietary diversity and its contribution to the magnitude of anaemia among pregnant women: Evidence from rural areas of Western China. Nutrients, 15(17), 3714. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15173714

Seid, A., Fufa, D. D., Weldeyohannes, M., et al. (2023). Inadequate dietary diversity during pregnancy increases the risk of maternal anemia and low birth weight in Africa: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Food Science & Nutrition, 11(7), 3706–3717. https://doi.org/10.1002/fsn3.3388

Margawati, A., Syauqy, A., Utami, A., & Adespin, D. A. (2023). Prevalence of anemia and associated risk factors among pregnant women in Semarang, Indonesia, during COVID-19 pandemic. Ethiopian Journal of Health Sciences, 33(3), 451–462. https://doi.org/10.4314/ejhs.v33i3.8

Norwahidah, Solechah, S. A., Yulianti, & Suryani, N. (2023). Hubungan kecukupan zat besi, asam folat, pengetahuan dan sosial ekonomi dengan kejadian anemia pada ibu hamil di wilayah Landasan Ulin Timur. Jurnal Ilmu Gizi dan Dietetik, 2(3), 160–167. https://doi.org/10.25182/jigd.2023.2.3.160-167

Mutiara, E. S., Manalu, L., Klise, R. E., Aginta, S., Aini, F., & Rusmalawaty. (2023). Analisis pemberian tablet tambah darah pada ibu hamil di Puskesmas: Studi literature review. Media Kesehatan Masyarakat Indonesia, 22(2), 125–135. https://doi.org/10.14710/mkmi.22.2.125-135

Sakai, H., Kawata, R., Adhikari, R., Thapa, Y. O., & Bhandari, T. R. (2024). Effectiveness of art-based health education on anemia and health literacy among pregnant women in Western Nepal: A randomized controlled trial. PLOS ONE, 19(9), e0281789. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0281789

Sartika, R. A. D., Wirawan, F., Putri, P. N., et al. (2024). Association between iron–folic acid supplementation during pregnancy and maternal and infant anemia in West Java, Indonesia: A mixed-method prospective cohort study. American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, 110(3), 576–587. https://doi.org/10.4269/ajtmh.23-0411

Kuntari, T., & Supadmi, S. (2024). Anemia in young pregnant women: A cross-sectional study in Indonesia. Jurnal Kedokteran dan Kesehatan Indonesia, 15(2), 147–161. https://doi.org/10.20885/JKKI.Vol15.Iss2.art3

Laili, W., & Novianty, A. (2024). Hubungan pengetahuan dan status gizi ibu dengan anemia kehamilan di Puskesmas Johar Baru, Jakarta Pusat. Jurnal Ilmu Gizi dan Dietetik, 3(4), 306–311. https://doi.org/10.25182/jigd.2024.3.4.306-311

Serang, S. W., Issabella, C. M., & Purnamasari, I. (2024). Hubungan pengetahuan dan sikap ibu tentang gizi dengan kejadian anemia pada ibu hamil di Puskesmas Umbulharjo 1 Yogyakarta. Journal of Health, 11(2), 146–153. https://doi.org/10.30590/joh.v11n2.766

Sugiarsih, U., Solihah, E., & Budiarti, Y. (2024). The effect of soy milk on haemoglobin levels in pregnant women with anaemia. Jurnal Gizi Indonesia, 12(2), 70–79. https://doi.org/10.14710/jgi.12.2.70-79

Siregar, E. D. P., Amir, A., & Irawati, N. (2024). Ideal dietary intakes of vitamin B12 and vitamin E prevent anemia during pregnancy. Jurnal Ilmu dan Teknologi Kesehatan, 11(2), 231–243. https://doi.org/10.32668/jitek.v11i2.1195

Atmadani, R. N., Akrom, A., Ananda, D., Saputri, L. Y., Puspitasari, A. A., & Urbayatun, S. (2024). Supports and barriers regarding the iron-folic acid supplementation adherence level in anemic pregnant women: Indonesian’s perspective. Media Kesehatan Masyarakat Indonesia, 20(2). https://doi.org/10.30597/mkmi.v20i2.32569

Engidaw, M. T. (2025). Effect of nutrition education during pregnancy on iron–folic acid supplementation compliance and anemia in low- and middle-income countries: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Nutrition Reviews, 83(7), e1472–e1487. https://doi.org/10.1093/nutrit/nuae170

Engidaw, M. T., Lee, P., & Ahmed, F. (2025). Iron and folic acid supplementation compliance during pregnancy and its effect on post-pregnancy anaemia among reproductive-age women in East Africa. Women’s Health, 21, 17455057251317547. https://doi.org/10.1177/17455057251317547

Taye, M., Mohammed, T., Taye, W., et al. (2025). Compliance with iron-folate supplementation among pregnant women in Southern Ethiopia: A multi-center cross-sectional study. Reproductive Health, 22, 22. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12978-025-01944-z

Putri, J. R., Pujonarti, S. A., Syafiq, A., Achadi, E. L., Perkasa, A. I. K. G., & Basrowi, R. W. (2025). Factors associated with the incidence of anemia in pregnant women in Indonesia: Analysis of Indonesian Health Survey (SKI) 2023 data. Journal of Indonesian Specialized Nutrition, 3(4). https://doi.org/10.63953/jisn.v3i4.64

Notoatmodjo, S. (2018). Metodologi penelitian kesehatan. Rineka Cipta.

Sugiyono. (2022). Metode penelitian kuantitatif, kualitatif, dan R&D. Alfabeta.