The Jaga Diri digital intervention improved knowledge and adherence to weekly iron-folic acid supplementation among adolescent girls in Maluku Province, Indonesia

Introduction Adherence to weekly iron/folic acid (IFA) supplementation, a vital intervention to combat anaemia among adolescent girls, remains a global challenge, including in Maluku Province, Indonesia. This study assessed the effect of “Jaga Diri” application, in enhancing knowledge and adherence to IFA supplementation among adolescent girls from Salahutu Sub-District of Maluku Province, Indonesia. Methods In mid-2024, a quasi-experimental study was conducted among 82 adolescent girls from two senior high schools in Salahutu Sub-District, Maluku Province, Indonesia. The intervention group used the “ Jaga Diri ” Android-based application for four weeks, which delivered weekly reminders and brief educational messages on anaemia and iron–folic acid (IFA) supplementation, while the control group received routine school-based services. Knowledge was measured using a validated 15-item questionnaire. Adherence was defined as consumption of ≥75% of the provided weekly IFA tablets over the previous four weeks, assessed by self-report, and supported by haemoglobin measurement. Group differences were analyzed using non-parametric and chi-square tests, and multivariable binary logistic regression was used to assess factors associated with high knowledge and adherence. Results After four weeks of using the “Jaga Diri” application, adolescent girls from the intervention school showed a significantly higher level of knowledge about anaemia ( p = 0.011) and adherence to weekly IFA supplementation ( p < 0.001) than those from the control school. The improved adherence was shown by the reduction of anaemia prevalence in the intervention school, from 35% to 17.5%. In the control school, the prevalence increased from 19% to 28.6%. Conclusions The “Jaga Diri” application effectively improves knowledge about anaemia and adherence to IFA supplementation among adolescent girls. Further investigation with larger and more varied groups are required to confirm its effectiveness before it can be widely implemented in larger areas of Maluku and Indonesia.