THE INFLUENCE OF PHARMACIST COUNSELING ON CHANGES IN HEMOGLOBIN LEVELS OF PREGNANT WOMEN AT A COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER IN INDONESIA

Abstract

 Objectives: Anemia during pregnancy is a common problem among women. Iron deficiency can result from low compliance to consuming iron supplement tablets (ISTs) as well as consumption patterns that may affect iron uptake. The purpose of this study was to provide knowledge regarding anemia during pregnancy, to increase adherence to consumption of IST, and to improve IST consumption patterns.

Methods: The study design was experimental with a randomized pre-post control design. There were 192 respondents who were divided into two groups: 96 respondents were not counseled and 96 respondents had received media leaflet counseling. The research was conducted at the community health center (CHC) of the Pagedangan Sub-district, Tangerang District, and Banten Province. All respondents were interviewed, and the hemoglobin (Hb) value was examined using the Hemocue Hb 301 Analyzer photometry method.

Results: The results were analyzed using a Chi-square test to assess significant differences between the two groups (p<0.05) and multivariate analysis was conducted using binary logistic regression. The results showed that the influence of counseling could increase the Hb value by 8.6 times compared to the non-counseling group (OR=8.6; p<0.05) after controlling for number of IST per month, consumption pattern of IST with calcium, consumption pattern of IST with foods/beverages that inhibit the absorption of iron, level of education, and gestational age.

Conclusions: Gestational age in the third trimester tends to increase the Hb value by 5.1 times compared with the first- and second-trimester gestations (OR=5.1, p<0.05). Thus, counseling from pharmacists can improve the success of anemia treatment in pregnant women in the CHC of the Pagedangan Sub-district, Tangerang District.