Educational intervention to improve menstrual hygiene management in adolescent girls in Kalimantan, Indonesia.

Objectives: To determine the effect of health education on menstrual hygiene management in adolescents. METHODS: The quasi-experimental study was conducted from April to July 2021 in Sampit, Kalimantan, Indonesia, after approval from ethics review committee of the Nursing University of Airlangga, Surabaya, East Java, Indonesia. The sample comprised grade VII female students at a public junior high school in Sampit. The sample was divided into intervention group A and control group B. Group A was given a health education intervention through video conferences in two meetings and was given a leaflet after each meeting which lasted 90 minutes. The control group was only given a leaflet. Baseline and post-intervention data was compared. Data was analysed using SPSS 16. RESULTS: There were 70 subjects; 35(50%) in each of the two groups. The age range was 12-14 years, with 25(71.4%) subjects in group A and 28(80%) in group B being aged 13 years. The age of menarche was 12 years for 17(48.6%) subjects in each of the two groups. Knowledge level of group A increased significantly post-intervention (p<0.05), but group B showed no significant difference (p=0.144). CONCLUSIONS: Health education on menstrual hygiene management was found to have a beneficial influence on knowledge and attitudes among adolescents.

The correlation between knowledge, family income and peer support with anaemia prevention behaviour among adolescent girls.

Objectives: To analyse the correlation of knowledge, family income and peer support with anaemia preventive behaviour among adolescent girls. Method: The correlational, cross-sectional study was conducted at the Junior High School 3, Sampang, Indonesia, from April to June 2021, and comprised adolescent girls who had gone through menarche and were living with their families. Data was collected using knowledge, peer support and anaemia preventive behaviour questionnaires that were designed based on literature. Data was analysed using Spearman's Rho test. RESULTS: Of the 156 subjects with mean age 14.0±0.98 years, 60(38.5%) were studying in the 8th grade. The mean age of menarche was 11.91±1.03 years. Anaemia preventive behaviour was significantly associated with knowledge (p=0.000, r=0.277) and peer support (p=0.000, r=0.403), but not with family income (p=0.166, r=0.111). CONCLUSIONS: knowledge level and better peer support were found to improve anaemia preventive behaviour among adolescent girls.

Adherence to iron supplementation amongst pregnant mothers in Surabaya, Indonesia: Perceived benefits, barriers and family support.

BACKGROUND: Anaemia during pregnancy is a major nutritional problem that can cause preterm delivery and low birth weight. Adherence to iron supplementation can prevent anaemia during pregnancy. However, adherence to iron supplementation remains a problem in many countries. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to identify the correlations of the perceived benefits and perceived barriers of and family support for iron supplementation with adherence to this practice amongst pregnant woman in Surabaya, Indonesia. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out on 102 pregnant women who attended check-ups at the Puskesmas and received iron supplementation. Data were collected using questionnaires. RESULTS: Perceived benefits (r = 0.334, P = 0.001), perceived barriers (r = -0.294, P = 0.003) and family support (r = 0.263, P = 0.008) were noted to be correlated with adherence to iron supplementation amongst pregnant woman in Surabaya, Indonesia. CONCLUSION: Perceived benefits, perceived barriers and family support are related to adherence to iron supplementation; thus, developing good perceptions and family support should be properly promoted.