<![CDATA[Anemia during pregnancy is associated with an increased risk of preterm delivery, low birth weight, and bleeding. Therefore, the National program for 90 iron tables during pregnancy has been employed. Hemoglobin (Hb) monitoring has not been routinely conducted, hence, the Hb examination is performed by using a simple finger prick test. Our study aimed to analyse whether pregnant women have an increased hemoglobin value after 30 extra tablets and to compare prick test and venous puncture examination among pregnant women after 30 extra tablet. This was analytic research with quasi-experimental study design, with a pre- and post-test approach, conducted in August to September 2022. After consent, pregnant women (n78) who had taken their iron supplementation for at least 3 months were checked for Hb level using finger prick test of whom 18 were still anemic after 3 months iron therapy. Hb level was further examined with venous blood to measure complete blood count measurement and to compare with the result of finger prick test result. Interestingly, CBC result showed that only 2 out of 17 pregnant women were anemic By CBC test. Erythrocyte Shine & Lal Index (MCV*MCV*MCH/100) had suggested that all pregnant women had iron deficiency anemia (cut off value SLI >1530), as confirmed with normal value of HbA2 (2-3.5%). Measurement of Hb in pregnant women in low resource areas is very important. The finger prick test in this study showed a high frequency of anemia, albeit the venous complete blood count showed otherwise. The standardized method for CBC in primary health care is recommended to avoid iron over supplementation. Since Indonesia is located in thalassemia belt., further exploration for those who are still anemic after complete iron tablet in pregnant women is imperative.]]>
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