The Effect of Moringa Leaf Extract in Increasing Hb Levels of Pregnant Women During COVID-19 Pandemic in Parigi Regency, Central Sulawesi, Indonesia

Background; The Covid-19 pandemic has a major impact on socioeconomic conditions and public health, especially pregnant women. The availability of food and nutrition will be greatly reduced due to limited mobility which will have an impact on the incidence of anemia in pregnant women. Thus, it is important to use moringa leaf extract as a local resource. Aim To find out the effect of Moringa leaf extract in reducing the incidence of anemia (hemoglobin levels) in pregnant women during the Covid-19 pandemic in the work area of Siniu, Community Health Center, Parimo Regency. Method It is a quasi-experimental research with randomized controlled Double-Blind design. The sample included 40 pregnant women divided into two groups: 20 pregnant women in the intervention group and 20 pregnant women in the control group. The intervention group was given moringa leaf extract capsule and Fe capsule every day. The control group was only given Fe capsule. Result The results showed that the characteristics of the respondents in the two groups before intervention were not different P=0.106. After the intervention for 1 month, the HB level of pregnant women in the intervention group increased significantly compared to the control group (p=0.050)