THE EFFECT OF DIETARY INTAKE TOWARDS MATERNAL NUTRITION ANEMIA

Rini Mutahar (*)

(*): Faculty of Public Health, Sriwijaya University, Indonesia Email: rini_mutahar@yahoo.co.id

Background: It is estimated as many as 20% of maternal deaths which are caused due to anemia and malnutrition. Maternal nutritional anemia remains a major problem in Indonesia, by more than 50% of pregnant women suffer from nutritional anemia. Most of anemia due to iron deficiency or Fe in the body. The objective was to assess the association between dietary intake and maternal iron status during pregnancy. Methodology: This cross-sectional study was conducted among pregnant women in the District of Gandus Palembang City. A total of 63 pregnant women who residing in the District of Gandus Palembang City and the pregnant women with gestational age entry trimester II (16 weeks). Blood samples from mothers were analyzed for iron status. Data analysis included univariatae analysis bivariate and Multivariate analysis using binary logistic regression. Findings: The research showed that prevalence of nutritional anemia 45.1% of pregnant women. Mothers with adequate intake of vitamin C are have risk on anemia almost 2 times than those with low intake of vitamin C, after controlled with variables of maternal age, parity, education level and occupation. Discussion: Its necessary to improve coordination with cross-program and cross-sector by involving volunteers, community leaders or religious leaders by providing information related to risk factors for maternal mortality and nutritional anemia. Conclusions: Also, antenatal care quality improvement by providing training to health workers in providing counseling to pregnant women Key words: maternal anemia, dietary intake, Iron.