Influences of Dates Consumption on Hemoglobin Concentration of Pregnant Woman at BPM Siti Fatimah Cimahi

Abstract

Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is one of the most serious public health issues in the world. In Indonesia, anemia still be one of four unsolved nutrition problem. One of the indications of anemia is low concentration of hemoglobin (Hb). Overcoming IDA can be done by consuming iron supplement, and iron-rich food. One of the iron-rich food is dates. This study aims to know influences of dates consumption on Hb concentration of pregnant woman. Method used in this research is quasi experimental design with test before and after treatment. The sample group consists of 17 first trimester pregnant women. Subjects are selected by purposive random sampling technique. Hb was determined using Sahli’s haemoglobinometer. Obtained Hb data was analyzed using univariate and bivariate with T student dependent as statistic assay. Result of the assays are average respondents before treatment are affected by moderate anemia (7.02 mg %) and average respondents after treatment are also affected by mild anemia (10.97 mg %). Dates consumption resulted in significant increment of Hb concentration (p-Value 0.01). Health workers can suggest dates consumption to pregnant women to increase Hb concentration and eliminate nausea caused by Iron supplement.