Asrianti Safitri Muchtar, Ita Novianti, Magfirah

The Effect of Dragon Fruit Juice on Increasing Hemoglobin Levels in Anemic Pregnant Women

Introduction

The effect of dragon fruit juice on increasing hemoglobin levels in anemic pregnant women. Learn how dragon fruit juice effectively raised hemoglobin levels in anemic pregnant women from 10 g% to 11.6 g%. This midwifery case study shows improved maternal health.

Abstract

Introduction Anemia is a condition in which hemoglobin levels fall below 11 g/dL during the first and third trimesters, and below 10.5 g/dL in the second trimester. Anemia during pregnancy can reduce oxygen levels in both the mother and fetus. Pregnant women with mild anemia are at higher risk of preterm labor and delivering low birth weight infants. This study aimed to provide midwifery care through the administration of dragon fruit juice to improve hemoglobin levels in pregnant women with anemia at UPT Ulaweng Public Health Center, Bone Regency. Method: This research employed a case study approach based on the client’s needs and within the scope of midwifery practice. The care was provided using the seven-step Varney midwifery management process and documented using the SOAP format. Result: The study results indicated that after fourteen days of care, the client experienced no more dizziness, consistently consumed dragon fruit juice every morning, maintained normal vital signs, and her hemoglobin level increased from 10 g% to 11.6 g% following the 14-day intervention. Conclusion: The care provided proceeded smoothly and effectively. All findings and interventions for Mrs. “R” were documented, with no discrepancies identified.

Review

This paper addresses a highly pertinent public health issue: anemia in pregnant women, a condition with well-documented adverse outcomes for both mother and fetus. The study aims to explore the potential of dragon fruit juice as an intervention, framed within a practical midwifery care approach using established frameworks like Varney's management process and SOAP documentation. The focus on client-centered care and the detailed documentation of an individual's journey are commendable, providing valuable insights into the practical application of nutritional support in a clinical setting at the UPT Ulaweng Public Health Center. However, a significant discrepancy exists between the study's ambitious title, "The Effect of Dragon Fruit Juice on Increasing Hemoglobin Levels...", and its methodological approach. As a single case study, this research cannot establish a causal "effect" or provide generalizable evidence. The observed increase in hemoglobin from 10 g% to 11.6 g% in Mrs. "R" after 14 days, while positive for the individual, cannot be definitively attributed to the dragon fruit juice alone. The absence of a control group, details about concurrent iron supplementation, or other dietary and lifestyle factors makes it impossible to rule out confounding variables. Furthermore, subjective improvements like "no more dizziness" are valuable for individual care but lack the rigor required for broader scientific claims. In conclusion, while this paper effectively demonstrates the successful application of midwifery care principles and the detailed documentation of an individual's response to an intervention, it does not offer robust scientific evidence for the efficacy of dragon fruit juice in increasing hemoglobin levels. The conclusion's emphasis on the care proceeding "smoothly and effectively" and the absence of "discrepancies" primarily reflects on the quality of the midwifery process and documentation rather than the specific impact of the nutritional intervention. To move towards substantiating the claims implied by the title, future research would need to incorporate more rigorous methodologies, such as randomized controlled trials with larger sample sizes, standardized intervention protocols, and careful control for confounding variables.

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