Health Education and Training on the Preparation of NABIT Juice Based on Local Food Resources to Promote Pregnant Women’s Self-Reliance in Preventing Anemia in Batam City, Indonesia

Abstract

Anemia in pregnancy remains a significant global public health concern and is associated with increased risks of maternal and neonatal complications, including preterm birth, low birth weight, and elevated maternal and perinatal morbidity. In Indonesia, the prevalence of anemia among pregnant women remains high at 27.7% (SKI, 2023), and cases are still reported across primary healthcare settings, including the Lubuk Baja Community Health Center in Batam City. This highlights the need for innovative, community-based nutritional interventions. This community-based intervention study aimed to enhance the knowledge and skills of pregnant women in preparing NABIT Juice (dragon fruit–beetroot blend) as a local food-based strategy to support anemia prevention. NABIT Juice was developed as a functional beverage combining red dragon fruit and beetroot, both of which are sources of iron, folate, and vitamin C that contribute to hemoglobin synthesis and iron bioavailability. The intervention employed health education sessions, hands-on demonstrations, and practical training in juice preparation, followed by evaluation using pre-test and post-test assessments. The participants included 32 pregnant women in their second and third trimesters and 5 community health cadres from the Lubuk Baja Community Health Center, Batam City. The results demonstrated substantial improvements in knowledge and skills, with awareness of anemia increasing from 45% to 92%, understanding of iron benefits from 20% to 88%, and competence in NABIT Juice preparation from 5% to 100%. Additionally, 96% of participants reported acceptance of NABIT Juice and expressed willingness to consume it regularly as a complement to iron supplementation. This intervention effectively enhanced participants’ knowledge, practical skills, and acceptance of locally based nutritional strategies, suggesting its potential as a sustainable community-level approach for anemia prevention in pregnancy.