The addition of dates palm (Phoenix dactylifera) on iron supplementation (Fe) increases the hemoglobin level of adolescent girls with anemia

Background: Young women have a tenfold anemia risk compared with young men, anemia that occurs in adolescent girls because it has hemoglobin levels less than the normal rate of 12 g / dL. Factors that cause anemia in adolescent girls are the iron deficiency (Fe) due to menstruation, lack of nutrient intakes such as Fe, fat, protein, carbohydrate and energy. In order for adolescents are not lack iron that the body needs, it is a necessary intake of Fe supplementation and also the provision of dates fruit. Aim: The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of the addition of dates on supplementation of Fe to hemoglobin levels in adolescent girls. Method: Type of experimental research with the design of Pre Test and Post Test Control Group Design. The sample in this research is adolescent girls with anemia in two Senior High School amounted to 68 people who are divided into two groups that is intervention group counted 32 people and control group counted 36 people. Data collection techniques on Hb measurements with cyanmethemoglobin. The data analysis tools used are paired simple t-test and independent t-test. Result: There was a significant difference in hemoglobin levels before and after the addition of dates in iron supplementation in adolescent girls with anemia with mean before intervention (9.94g / dL) and mean after intervention (11.22 g / dL). There were significant differences in hemoglobin levels before and after iron supplementation in adolescent girls with anemia with mean before treatment (10.09 g / dL) and mean after treatment (10.93 g / dL). There was no significant difference in hemoglobin levels after treatment between the intervention groups (addition of dates on Fe supplementation) and control group (Fe supplementation) in adolescent girls with anemia (p = 0.855). Conclusion: There is a difference of Hb levels between adolescent girls with anemia who were given additional dates in Fe supplementation with only Fe supplementation.