The effect of WhatsApp-based reminders on enhancing knowledge and adherence to weekly iron-folic acid supplementation among adolescent girls in Maluku, Indonesia.

IF 3.2 Q1 HEALTH CARE SCIENCES & SERVICES

Frontiers in digital health Pub Date : 2025-03-27 eCollection Date: 2025-01-01 DOI:10.3389/fdgth.2025.1542006

Mega Clarita Laurence, Christiana Rialine Titaley, Ritha Tahitu, Elpira Asmin, Nathalie Elischeva Kailola, Sean Semuel Istia, Yudhie Djuhastidar Tando, Lershito Antonio Pasamba, Liyani Sartika Sara

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Abstract

Introduction: Anemia continues to be a problem among adolescent girls, including in Indonesia. Although the Weekly Iron-Folic Acid Supplementation (WIFAS) program was introduced in 2014, adherence remains a challenge. The study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of WhatsApp (WA) reminder messages in improving knowledge and adherence to WIFAS among adolescent girls in the Salahutu Sub-District, Maluku Province.

Methods: A quasi-experimental design was employed in 2024, utilizing a pretest-posttest control group framework across two senior high schools in Salahutu Sub-District. The intervention school (n = 49) received WA-based reminder messages for four weeks, while the control school (n = 42) continued to receive routine services. We used Mann-Whitney, Fisher Exact and chi-square tests in this analysis.

Results: The WA-based intervention led to a significant improvement in knowledge scores among adolescent girls from the intervention school (p < 0.001). These students were also more likely to have taken WIFAS in the week preceding the endline survey (p < 0.001) and to have consumed at least 75% of the distributed WIFAS (p = 0.015) compared to the control school. Furthermore, the mean hemoglobin levels were significantly higher in the intervention compared to the control school (p = 0.001).

Conclusions: The WA-based reminder messages were effective in enhancing knowledge and adherence to WIFAS. Expanding this approach to a broader population is recommended before scaling up implementation across Maluku and other regions in Indonesia.

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基于whatsapp的提醒对提高印尼马鲁古少女每周补充叶酸铁的知识和依从性的影响。

贫血仍然是少女的一个问题，包括在印度尼西亚。尽管每周补铁叶酸（WIFAS）计划于2014年推出，但坚持服用仍然是一个挑战。该研究旨在评估WhatsApp （WA）提醒信息在提高马鲁库省Salahutu街道少女对ifas的了解和遵守方面的有效性。方法：采用准实验设计，采用萨拉胡图街道两所高中的前测后测对照组框架。干预学校（n = 49）接受为期四周的基于wa的提醒信息，而对照学校（n = 42）继续接受常规服务。我们在分析中使用了Mann-Whitney、Fisher Exact和卡方检验。结果：基于wa的干预导致干预学校的青春期女孩的知识得分显著提高（p < 0.001）。与对照学校相比，这些学生也更有可能在结束调查前一周服用了WIFAS (p < 0.001)，并且服用了至少75%的分发的WIFAS （p = 0.015）。此外，干预学校的平均血红蛋白水平显著高于对照学校（p = 0.001）。结论：基于wa的提醒信息有效地提高了对WIFAS的认识和遵守。在马鲁古和印度尼西亚其他地区扩大实施之前，建议将这一方法扩大到更广泛的人群。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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