Submission ID 118230
| Issue/Objective | Iron deficiency anemia remains a major public health concern among adolescent girls in Indonesia. Despite national programs providing iron-folic acid (IFA) tablets, adherence remains low due to various behavioral and structural barriers. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of a mobile-based e-health application in improving compliance with iron tablet consumption among adolescent girls in Bogor City, Indonesia. |
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| Methodology/Approach | A quasi-experimental design was employed, involving two groups: an intervention group using the e-health application and a control group receiving standard education. A total of 120 adolescent girls aged 15-18 from public high schools were selected using purposive sampling. The intervention was conducted over three months. The application provided interactive content including educational videos, daily intake reminders, progress tracking, and motivational messaging. Data on compliance, knowledge, and attitudes were collected through pre- and post-intervention surveys. Compliance was measured as the percentage of IFA tablets consumed out of those prescribed. |
| Results | The intervention group showed a significant increase in compliance, with an average adherence rate of 85% compared to 52% in the control group (p < 0.001). Knowledge and attitude scores also improved significantly in the intervention group (p < 0.05). The most positively received features included daily reminders and progress visualization. Qualitative feedback indicated improved motivation and awareness among users of the e-health application. |
| Discussion/Conclusion | The findings demonstrate that an e-health intervention can effectively improve iron tablet adherence among adolescent girls. The mobile platform helped address barriers such as forgetfulness and lack of motivation, contributing to better health outcomes. This study highlights the potential of digital health tools to support national nutrition strategies. Further research is recommended to evaluate scalability and long-term sustainability of such interventions in other settings. |
| Presenters and affiliations | Armein Rowi Universitas Sebelas Maret Surakarta Armein Rowi Universitas Sebelas Maret Surakarta |
