The Relationship Between Knowledge and Consumption of Iron Tablets and The Incidence of Anemia Among Adolescent Girls at Darul Muttaqien Junior High School in Selopampang, Temanggung Regency

Anemia remains a concern among adolescent girls because menstruation and rapid growth increase iron requirements, potentially impairing concentration and academic performance. This study aimed to examine the relationships between knowledge, adherence to iron tablet consumption, and anemia among seventh-grade girls at Darul Muttaqien Junior High School, Selopampang, Temanggung Regency. A cross-sectional design was employed, and all 52 students were recruited through total sampling. Data were collected using an anemia knowledge questionnaire, iron tablet monitoring cards, observation sheets, and hemoglobin measurements using an EasyTouch device. Univariate analysis was conducted to describe respondent characteristics and study variables, while bivariate analysis was performed to examine relationships using the chi-square test. Most respondents were early adolescents aged 10–13 years (96.2%), had a normal age at menarche (94.2%), and experienced a normal menstrual duration (84.6%). Nearly half of the respondents had moderate knowledge of anemia (48.1%), 73.1% adhered to iron tablet consumption, and 38.5% experienced anemia. Knowledge was significantly associated with anemia incidence (p = 0.019); 77.8% of respondents with high knowledge were not anemic, whereas 77.8% of those with low knowledge were anemic. Adherence to iron tablet consumption was significantly associated with anemia (p < 0.001), as 92.9% of nonadherent respondents experienced anemia. In conclusion, better knowledge and consistent iron tablet consumption were associated with a lower incidence of anemia.