Main Article Content
Abstract
The iron and folic acid (IFA) supplementation implemented since 2016 to reduce the prevalence of anaemia among adolescent girls. The high number of teenage girls in West Java who has anaemia indicates that the program, up to the present time, has yet to be successful. Therefore, reviewing the barrier to the program's implementation is necessary. The findings of this study were expected to help identify gaps and recommend alternative strategies for effective implementation. The design was mixed research. Qualitative studies used Focus group discussion (FGD), In-depth interviews. The research was conducted in four areas in West Java representing urban and rural areas with high stunting rates, including Bandung Tasikmalaya City, West Bandung Regency, and Garut Regency. Quantitative data was collected through an online survey of 523 adolescent girls. The questionnaire was tested for the validity of the instrument. Data is processed descriptively and presented in per cent. This research has received a Research Ethics. The results showed data on knowledge gaps and practice of taking iron and folic acid tablets, (as IFA or TTD) adolescents who were socialized with iron supplements 81%, and 77% stated that iron supplements were useful, but what was very surprising was that only 15% were young women who consumed iron supplements. The delay in the distribution of iron tablets was mainly related to the COVID-19 pandemic, Weak coordination between policy makers, Lack of socialization regarding the benefits of iron tablets and how to drink and improper socialization methods, Limitations of monitoring medication adherence, The need for sharpening program achievement indicators. The new program indicator is that the process is not yet at the output of drinking TTD.