Education Level, Dietary Quality, Nutritional Status, Serum Ferritin, and Blood Hemoglobin Level of Pregnant Women in Bogor District

This study aimed to determine the associations of education level, dietary intake, nutrition status, and serum ferritin level with blood Hemoglobin (Hb) level of pregnant women in Ciampea, Bogor district. Thirty pregnant women in their second and third trimester were included in this cross-sectional study. Dietary quality was estimated by energy and nutrient adequacy levels and Individual Dietary Diversity Scores (IDDS). Pre-pregnancy BMI was determined by self-reported body weight and direct height measurement. Nutrition intake was calculated for two 24-h recall. Blood Hb and serum ferritin levels were analyzed by spectrophotometry method and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method, respectively. Depending on data distribution, Spearman or Pearson correlation was performed to analyze correlations between variables. The results showed that most women had low education level (66.6%), low adequacy levels of energy, carbohydrate, protein, fat, and iron (96.7%; 96.7%; 100.0%; 53.3%; and 100%, respectively); and had moderate IDDS score (76.7%). About one-third of women were overweight or obese prior to pregnancy. About one-fourth of women were anemic (Hb<11.0 g/dl), and 66.7% were iron deficient. No significant associations were found between blood Hb and energy and nutrient adequacy levels, IDDS score, pre-pregnancy BMI, and serum ferritin level (p>0.05). Blood Hb was associated with education level (r=0.388; p=0.034). The results suggested that anemia among these pregnant women may be due to poor education levels. Improving education level as well as increasing iron intake are particularly important in reducing anemia problem among this group.