Postpartum anemia persists as a prevalent maternal health challenge that can delay physiological recovery and compromise maternal well-being. Targeted nutritional management leveraging indigenous food commodities like the sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas L.) offers a practical strategy to enhance hemoglobin levels due to its rich iron, vitamin C, folate, and antioxidant matrix. This study aimed to examine the association between localized sweet potato consumption and mild anemia among postpartum mothers at Robert Wolter Monginsidi Level II Hospital, Manado. An analytical observational study utilizing a cross-sectional design was conducted with 55 postpartum mothers selected via purposive sampling. Dietary intake was measured using a Food Frequency Questionnaire, while hemoglobin parameters were extracted from medical charts. Data were evaluated via descriptive statistics and the Pearson Product-Moment Correlation Test. The metrics revealed that 60.0% of respondents frequently consumed sweet potatoes, whereas 32.7% exhibited mild anemia. A statistically significant positive correlation was identified between sweet potato ingestion and hemoglobin (; ), showing that higher intake frequencies track with elevated hemoglobin parameters. Consequently, local sweet potato consumption supports maternal hematological status and should be actively advocated within postpartum nutritional counseling.
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