Improving Nutritional Status During Pregnancy through Preconception Nutrition Education

Abstract

The most prevalent nutritional problems among pregnant women in Indonesia are anemia and malnutrition during pregnancy. One in two pregnant women experiences anemia during this period. The objective of this research is to assess the impact of providing education about fulfilling preconception nutrition to prospective brides on nutritional status during the 1st trimester of pregnancy. Nutritional education will be provided during the preconception period using a module three times, and the impact on nutritional status during pregnancy will be assessed. The research method employed is quasi-experimental, with the sample consisting of prospective brides and grooms in Depok City, totaling 100 people. The results of the research, based on the T-test and General Linear Model analysis, showed that in the group given the intervention, there was an average increase in nutritional status across three indicators: hemoglobin levels increased by 1.64 g/dL, body mass index increased by 2.51 kg/m2, and middle upper arm circumference increased by 0.51 cm. In contrast, the three indicators in the control group tended to decrease on average. In conclusion, this research indicates that providing education on fulfilling pregnancy nutrition to prospective brides has an impact on food consumption behavior and improves nutritional status, specifically increasing hemoglobin levels, body mass index, and middle upper arm circumference. It is crucial to emphasize providing education on nutritional preparation for pregnancy to prospective brides during the preconception period as a strategic and initial step in preventing nutritional deficiencies during pregnancy.