Understanding Gender Patterns in Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices of Anemia Prevention Among Junior High School Students
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.33755/jkk.v12i1.975Keywords:
anemia prevention; adolescents; gender differences; knowledge attitude practice; school healthAbstract
Background: Anemia remains a prevalent nutritional problem among adolescents, influenced by rapid growth, dietary patterns, and in females menstrual blood loss. Understanding whether gender differences exist in anemia-related knowledge, attitudes, and preventive practices is essential for designing effective school-based interventions.
Objective: To describe and compare knowledge, attitudes, and preventive practices related to anemia among male and female junior high school students.
Methods: A descriptive comparative study was conducted among 134 junior high school students (grades 7–9) in West Bandung, Indonesia. Participants were selected through random selection within classes at a single school. Knowledge, attitudes, and preventive practices were assessed using structured questionnaires. Gender differences were analyzed using the Mann–Whitney U test due to non-normal data distribution.
Results: Female students demonstrated higher proportions in the high-knowledge category compared with males; however, the difference in knowledge scores between genders did not reach statistical significance (p = 0.060). No statistically significant gender differences were observed in attitudes (p = 0.160) or preventive practices (p = 0.285). Most students of both genders exhibited moderate attitudes and moderate anemia prevention practices.
Conclusion: No statistically significant gender differences were identified in knowledge, attitudes, or preventive practices related to anemia among junior high school students. Although female students tended to show higher knowledge levels, this pattern represents a non-significant trend rather than a confirmed difference. These findings suggest that anemia prevention programs should target both male and female adolescents equally, with emphasis on translating knowledge into consistent preventive behaviors through comprehensive school-based interventions.
References
1. Utami A, Margawati A, Pramono D, Wulandari DR. Prevalence of anemia and correlation with knowledge, nutritional status, dietary habits among adolescent girls at Islamic Boarding School. Jurnal Gizi Indonesia (The Indonesian Journal of Nutrition). 2022;10(2):114–21.
2. Fatikhani DA, Setiawan A. The relationship between the level of knowledge regarding fast food and the dietary habits among adolescents in Jakarta, Indonesia. Enferm Clin. 2019;29:172–5.
3. Putri F, Suyanto S, Restila R, Laksono AD, Sundjaya T. Exploring the role of nutritional status and anthropometric factors in anemia among adolescent girls in Pekanbaru, Indonesia. SAGE Open Med. 2025;13:20503121251355410.
4. Syah MNH, Asna AF, Perdana SM, Utah-Iheanyichukwu C. Anemia Status of Girls Adolescent and It’s Contributing Factors at Bekasi City, Indonesia. Buletin Penelitian Kesehatan. 2025;53(2):49–60.
5. Masfiah S, Maqfiroch AFA, Rubai WL, WIjayanti SPM, Anandari D, Kurniawan A, et al. Prevalence and determinants of anemia among adolescent girls: A school-based survey in Central Java, Indonesia. Glob J Health Sci. 2021;13(3):37.
6. Wratsangka R, Tungka EX, Murthi AK, Ali S, Nainggolan IM, Sahiratmadja E. Anemia among Medical Students from Jakarta: Indonesia—Iron Deficiency or Carrier Thalassemia? Anemia. 2024;2024(1):4215439.
7. Suminar R, Perdana IM, Mulayana R, Heriyanti SW, Hindiarti YI. Effectiveness of the Kalkulating platform (stunting detection calculator) for increasing hemoglobin levels in adolescents. Jurnal Keperawatan Komprehensif (Comprehensive Nursing Journal). 2025;11(3):495–501.
8. Ma X, Lee S, Hwang JY. Exploring the Role of Intrinsic Motivation in Healthy Eating Intentions: An Extension of the Theory of Planned Behavior in Chinese Adults. Nutrients. 2025;17(12):2007.
9. Liu D, Lee S, Hwang JY. Factors related to the intention of healthy eating behaviors based on the theory of planned behavior: focused on adults residing in Beijing, China. Journal of Nutrition and Health. 2021;54(1):67–75.
10. Djati IS, Nugrahen SA, Sriatmi A. Factors Influencing Attitude Making in The Prevention of Anemia in Female Adolescent: A scoping review. Jurnal Indonesia Sosial Teknologi. 2025;6(1).
11. Hendryani A, Hidayati RN. ENHANCING ADOLESCENT GIRLS ANEMIA PREVENTION KNOWLEDGE AND ATTITUDES THROUGH NUTRITIONAL CONSULTATIONS. National Nutrition Journal/Media Gizi Indonesia. 2024;19.
12. Ramadhanti R. Hubungan Pengetahuan, Sikap, Dan Perilaku Terhadap Kejadian Anemia Pada Siswa SDN Gambiranom Depok, Sleman, Yogyakarta. 2014;
13. Rianti D, Suryani S, Choirunnisa A. Pengaruh Edukasi terhadap Kepatuhan Siswi Usia Remaja dalam Penggunaan Tablet Tambah Darah. Inovasi Kesehatan Global. 2025;2(1):206–13.
14. Kurniawati Y, Astuti DA. The Effect of Anemia Education on Adolescents’ Intention to Undergo Hemoglobin Testing. Journal of Social and Community Development. 2025;2(03):183–96.
15. Suryani TE, Nababan L, Afriannisyah E. Hubungan Paritas Dan Status Gizi Dengan Kejadian Anemia Pada Ibu Hamil di Wilayah Kerja Puskesmas Padang Serai Kota Bengkulu. Jurnal Kebidanan Manna. 2024;3(1):1–6.
16. Harahap AI, Nasution FPM, Siregar RF. Peningkatan Kesadaran Pencegahan Anemia Pada Remaja Melalui Edukasi Gizi Dan Kesehatan Di Smp 4 Padangsidimpuan. JUAN: Jurnal Pengabdian Nusantara. 2025;2(3):29–35.
17. Rianti D, Suryani S, Choirunnisa A. Pengaruh Edukasi terhadap Kepatuhan Siswi Usia Remaja dalam Penggunaan Tablet Tambah Darah. Inovasi Kesehatan Global. 2025;2(1):206–13.
18. Megasari AL, Putri NR, Ashani NAY, Oktavia EM, Putri YDN, Ubaydillah M. Edukasi Pentingnya Pemenuhan Gizi bagi Remaja untuk Pencegahan Anemia di SMP Negeri 13 Surakarta. Ahmar Metakarya: Jurnal Pengabdian Masyarakat. 2024;4(1):14–9.
19. Kusnadi FN. Hubungan tingkat pengetahuan tentang anemia dengan kejadian anemia pada remaja putri. Jurnal Medika Hutama. 2021;3(01 Oktober):1293–8.
20. Subratha HFA. Gambaran tingkat pengetahuan remaja putri tentang anemia di tabanan. Jurnal Medika Usada. 2020;3(2):48–53.
21. Glanz KE, Rimer BK, Viswanath K. Theory, research, and practice in health behavior. 2015;
