Effects of the Nutrition Promotion Program on Health Behaviors and Hematocrit in Pregnant Women with Anemia

Abstract

Introduction Anemia is caused by abnormalities in red blood cell production, often resulting from iron deficiency, which decreases both red blood cell count and hemoglobin synthesis. This can cause symptoms including fatigue, lack of energy, difficulty performing activities, and reduced ability to work. Without proper management, anemia can adversely affect the health of both mothers and their fetus. 

Objective To compare the average health behaviors (food consumption behavior and iron supplement consumption behavior) and blood concentration levels in pregnant women with anemia, before and after participating in the program. 

Design This study employed a quasi-experimental design with a one-group, pre-test, and post-test design. 

Methodology The participants were 30 pregnant women with anemia who received care at the antenatal clinic of a community hospital in Nakhon Si Thammarat province between January and March 2024. They were purposively selected according to inclusion criteria. The sample size was determined based on a literature review, using a test power of .80, a significance level of .05, and an effect size of 0.5. The research tools included: 1) a nutrition promotion program developed by the researchers, based on Pender’s health promotion theory, with content validity confirmed by experts, indicated by a content validity index (CVI) of 1.00, and 2) data collection tools including a general information questionnaire, a pregnancy-related questionnaire, and a food consumption and iron supplement consumption behavior questionnaire, developed by the researchers, with a CVI of 1.00 and reliability indicated by a Cronbach’s alpha coefficient of .84. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Paired t-test. 

Results On average, the participants were 30.10 years old (SD = 6.85). Most of them were multiparous (70%), with an average gestational age of 7-13 weeks for their first antenatal care visit. After participating in a nutrition promotion program, the participants showed higher health behaviors including food consumption behavior and iron supplement consumption behavior (M = 3.52, SD = 0.09) compared to before the program (M = 2.40, SD = 0.13) with statistical significance (t = 37.214, p < .001). Hematocrit (M = 34.33, SD = 2.09) was also higher than before the program (M = 31.17, SD = 1.56) with statistical significance (t = -9.185, p = .001). 

Recommendation Nurse midwives working in the antenatal care department can use the program for pregnant women with characteristics similar to those of the study participants to promote proper food consumption and iron supplement consumption behaviors.