Low dosage iron supplementation: the impact of hemoglobin levels and the side effect of non-anemic pregnant women in Denpasar city, Bali, Indonesia, 2016

Abstract

Background: Nearly 95% of anemia in pregnancy is caused by iron deficiency. Iron tablet is recommended in pregnant women, but only 18% who consume iron tablet. One of the factors that influence compliance is the side effects such as constipation, nausea and vomiting. Pregnant women need additional iron supplementation of 30 mg / day, along with folic acid and vitamin C. Based on the above it is necessary to create Iron tablet formulations with low doses but can be optimally absorbed by the body.

Methods: Randomized pre and posttest control group design. The inclusion criteria pregnant women 20-35 years, a distance of children ≥2 years, live in Denpasar city and the number of single fetus. Simple random sampling technique to determine the treatment group and the control group. The statistical test used in analyzing is the normality test, homogeneity, Chi-Square test and test the T-group.

Results: During research of 44 respondents obtained the results of 44 (100%) are in a healthy reproductive age and no respondents were vegetarian. The analysis data with statistical test T-test, obtained no difference between low-dose iron supplementation and conventional doses of the hemoglobin of non-anemic pregnant women. Also showed that the low-dose iron supplementation can significantly lower incidence of side effects of iron supplementation in non-anemic pregnant women.

Conclusions: The proper used of iron in the appropriate dose, will affect the effectiveness of absorption in the body and helps in reducing the side effects that arise from taking iron tablets during pregnancy.