| Summary: | Background: Iron supplementation program has been implemented in Banyumas, District,
Central Java, but the prevalence of anemia in pregnant women remains as high as 55.37%. The
Banyumas District Health Office has launched an ad hoc (temporary) iron supplementation
program, namely Hemafort, in order to reduce anemia prevalence. This study aimed to investigate
the factors that determine the effectiveness of the iron supplementation program for pregnant
women in Banyumas, Central Java.
Subjects and Method: This was a qualitative study with case study approach, and CIPP (context,
input, process, product) framework. This study was conducted Wangon II and South Purwokerto
Health Centers from October to November 2016. Informants were selected by purposive sampling
including midwives, nutritional program managers, pharmacists, head of nutrition section, and
pregnant women. The data were collected by in-depth interview, observation, and archival review.
The data were analyzed by a multiple case study. The data were validated by data source
triangulation.
Results: The iron tablets coverage for pregnant women reached 94.88% and 89.26% in 2014 and
2015, respectively, in Banyumas. The minimal target of iron coverage for pregnant women was
90%. There was no local government policy or standard operating procedure (SOP) that regulated
the efforts to tackle anemia problems in pregnant women. The number of health personnel in
charge of nutrition and their competence were sufficient. But reliable budget to tackle anemia
problem did not exist. Spending district budget was an exit strategy to take when there was
deficiency in central budget allocation. The number of iron supplementation tablets was not
guaranteed.
Conclusion: The effectiveness of iron supplementation program for pregnant women depends on
the existence of relevant policy, SOP, allocation of sufficient and reliable budget, as well as
adequate supply of iron tablets.
Keywords: iron supplementation tablets, pregnant women, local government, budget
Correspondence:
Purwati. Faculty of Health Sciences, Muhammadiyah University at Purwokerto, Central Java.
Email: watix_1006@yahoo.com. Mobile: +6285735145236.
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