The Effectiveness of the 'Healthy Beauty' mHealth Education Application in Knowledge and Adherence to Iron Supplementation among Adolescent Girls
Anemia among adolescent girls is a significant global public health concern, with a prevalence of 32% among individuals aged 15–24 years in Indonesia. Low adherence to iron and folic acid (IFA) supplementation continues to limit the effectiveness of government programs aimed at anemia prevention. In the digital era, mobile health (mHealth) interventions have gained recognition for their potential to improve health literacy, support behavior change, and strengthen treatment adherence. This study evaluated the effectiveness of the Healthy Beauty application in improving knowledge and adherence to IFA supplementation among adolescent girls in Gorontalo Regency. A mixed-methods design with a sequential transformative strategy was employed. The qualitative phase consisted of in-depth interviews with healthcare workers, teachers, and adolescent girls to explore perceptions and experiences related to anemia and supplementation. The quantitative phase included 20 adolescent girls aged 12–25 years, who received educational interventions through the Healthy Beauty application. Knowledge and adherence were assessed before and after the intervention. Quantitative data were analyzed using paired t-tests and chi-square tests, while qualitative data were analyzed thematically. The results demonstrated a significant improvement in knowledge scores, increasing from a mean of 14.90 to 19.05 (p < 0.001). Adherence to IFA supplementation was achieved by 70% of participants, with chi-square analysis confirming a significant association between knowledge and adherence (p = 0.017). Qualitative findings emphasized the application’s role in facilitating monitoring, providing reminders, and enhancing support from teachers and healthcare workers. In conclusion, the Healthy Beauty application was effective in improving knowledge and adherence to IFA supplementation. This digital innovation shows promise as a sustainable intervention to strengthen anemia prevention efforts among adolescents.