The Relationship Between Knowledge of Anemia and Attitudes Toward Adherence to Iron Supplementation Among High School Students

Abstract

Background: Anemia affects nearly one-third (33%) of women of reproductive age (15–49 years) worldwide, indirectly threatening child nutrition and overall public health. Globally, the prevalence of anemia among adolescent girls varies. In 2019, approximately 36.5% of pregnant adolescents, 29.6% of non-pregnant women, and 39.8% of children aged 6–59 months were diagnosed with anemia (WHO, 2021).

Purpose: This study aimed to analyze the relationship between knowledge of anemia and attitudes toward the compliance of iron supplement tablet consumption among adolescent girls.

Methods: This research employed an analytic observational design with a cross-sectional approach. The sample consisted of 57 female students from grades X and XI at Senior High School, selected through purposive sampling. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire to assess knowledge, attitudes, and compliance, and analyzed using the Chi-square test.

Results: Univariate analysis showed that most respondents had good knowledge (91.2%), poor attitudes (64.9%), and low compliance in taking iron supplements (89.5%). Bivariate analysis revealed no significant relationship between knowledge (p = 0.439) and attitudes (p = 1.000) with compliance.

Conclusion: It can be concluded that there is no significant relationship between knowledge of anemia and attitudes with compliance in taking iron supplement tablets among female students at Senior High School in 2025.