Application of the Health Belief Model (HBM) in Understanding the Relationship Between Anemia and Academic Performance Among Junior High School Students in Lhokseumawe City, Indonesia.

UNLABELLED: Indonesia ministry of health data shows that 21.7% of the population has anemia, with a prevalence of 26.4% in the 5-14-year age group and 18.4% in the 15-24-year age group (Hb <12.0 g/dL). The Health Belief Model (HBM) is used to identify lifestyle patterns of anemic students and their risks to academic achievement.

AIMS: This study examines the relationship between hemoglobin levels and academic achievement and assesses the relationship between the HBM construct and anemia.

METHODOLOGY: This study is a cross-sectional study with a sample of 80 grade VIII students at SMP Negeri 1 Lhokseumawe. This study examines the relationship between hemoglobin levels and academic achievement and assesses the relationship between the HBM construct and anemia.

RESULTS

Chi-square test showed a significant relationship (p<0.05) between anemia and academic achievement, where students with normal hemoglobin levels had better achievements than those with anemia.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings confirm the impact of anemia on academic achievement, highlighting the importance of iron for brain function, concentration, and intelligence. The limited correlation of most HBM constructs with anemia suggests low student awareness, thus educational interventions are needed to improve preventive behavior.