Food-Based Approach to Address Pregnancy Anemia: Evaluating the Effectiveness of Moringa Leaf Pudding in Improving Hemoglobin Levels / Pendekatan Berbasis Pangan untuk Mengatasi Anemia Kehamilan: Evaluasi Efektivitas Puding Daun Kelor dalam Meningkatkan Kadar Hemoglobin

Background: Anemia in pregnant women increases the risk of complications such as preterm birth and low birth weight. Although iron supplements are the primary treatment, side effects like nausea and constipation often reduce compliance. Moringa leaves (Moringa oleifera), a natural source of iron and vitamin C, show potential as an alternative. The innovation of processing moringa leaves into pudding offers a more appealing, practical, and acceptable solution for pregnant women. Objective: To examine the effect of moringa leaf pudding on increasing hemoglobin (Hb) levels in anemic pregnant women at Pratama Shanti Clinic. Methods: A quasi-experimental study with a one-group pretest-posttest design was conducted. The sample comprised 15 anemic pregnant women selected through purposive sampling. Data were analyzed using the Wilcoxon test. Results: The mean Hb level increased significantly from 9.91 g/dL (pre-intervention) to 11.38 g/dL (post-intervention) (p=0.002). Hb improvement was observed in 86.7% of respondents, with a maximum increase of 2.00 g/dL. Conclusion: Moringa leaf pudding effectively increases Hb levels in anemic pregnant women and can serve as a local food-based nutritional intervention alternative.

Latar Belakang: Anemia pada ibu hamil meningkatkan risiko komplikasi seperti persalinan prematur dan berat badan lahir rendah. Meskipun suplemen zat besi menjadi penanganan utama, efek samping seperti mual dan konstipasi sering mengurangi kepatuhan konsumsi. Daun kelor (Moringa oleifera), sumber alami zat besi dan vitamin C, berpotensi menjadi alternatif. Inovasi pengolahan daun kelor menjadi puding menawarkan solusi yang lebih menarik, praktis, dan mudah diterima oleh ibu hamil. Tujuan: Mengetahui pengaruh puding daun kelor terhadap peningkatan kadar Hb pada ibu hamil anemia di Klinik Pratama Shanti. Metode: Penelitian kuasi-eksperimen dengan desain one group pre-test post-test. Sampel terdiri dari 15 ibu hamil anemia yang dipilih secara purposive sampling. Data dianalisis menggunakan uji Wilcoxon. Hasil: Rerata kadar Hb meningkat signifikan dari 9,91 g/dL (sebelum intervensi) menjadi 11,38 g/dL (setelah intervensi) (p=0,002). Sebanyak 86,7% responden mengalami peningkatan Hb, dengan kenaikan maksimal 2,00 g/dL. Kesimpulan: Puding daun kelor efektif meningkatkan kadar Hb pada ibu hamil anemia dan dapat dijadikan alternatif intervensi gizi berbasis bahan lokal.