The Effect of Strawberry Juice on Improving HB Level among Female Adolescents with Anemia

Abstract

Background: Anemia in adolescents is a public health problem. Female adolescents are at higher risk to have anemia, particularly iron deficiency anemia, than male adolescents because they have a menstrual cycle every month. This study aimed to examine the effect of strawberry juice (Fragaria vesca) on improving haemoglobin (Hb) level among female adolescents with anemia. Subjects and Method: This study was a quasi-experiment before and after with con¬trol group design conducted at MTS Nurul Amin Tawangharjo, Kudus, Central Java. A sample of 40 female adolescents was selected for this study, consisting of 20 adolescents receiving strawberry juice and 20 adolescents receiving no-strawberry juice. The independent variable was strawberry juice. The dependent variable was Hb level. Hb level was measured by cyanmet photometer method. The data were analyzed by t-test. Results: The increase in Hb level scores before and after intervention in the straw¬¬¬berry juice group was higher than in the control group, and it was statistically significant (p= 0.005). Conclusion: Strawberry juice is effective to increase Hb level among female adolescents. Keywords: strawberry juice, hemoglobin level, female adolescents