Education on the Use of Black Cumin (Nigella sativa L.) to Reduce Hypertension in Ngombakan Village, Polokarto Subdistrict, Central Java

Edukasi Pemanfaatan Jintan Hitam (Nigella Sativa L) Dalam Menurunkan Hipertensi Di Desa Ngombakan Kecamatan Polokarto Jawa Tengah

Abstract

The number of elderly (senior citizens) in Indonesia continues to increase every year, including in Polokarto Subdistrict, Sukoharjo Regency. As people age, they experience a decline in organ function, which increases the risk of degenerative diseases such as hypertension. Hypertension management can be carried out through both pharmacological and non-pharmacological therapies. One natural ingredient with potential to lower blood pressure is black cumin (Nigella sativa L.), known for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antihypertensive effects. This community service activity aimed to provide education on the use of black cumin in reducing hypertension among the elderly, particularly in Ngombakan Village, Polokarto Subdistrict. The methods included health education through lectures and elderly exercise as a form of non-pharmacological therapy. Evaluation was conducted using pretest and posttest to measure participants' knowledge improvement. The results showed high enthusiasm from participants and an increase in knowledge scores after the educational session. This activity demonstrated that education based on natural remedies and physical activity can serve as a promotive and preventive strategy in controlling hypertension among the elderly. Therefore, educational and natural approaches like this are important to continue developing in efforts to improve the health status of the elderly in the community.

Abstrak

Jumlah lanjut usia (lansia) di Indonesia terus meningkat setiap tahunnya, mencapai 30,16 juta jiwa pada tahun 2021. Provinsi Jawa Tengah menempati urutan ketiga dengan jumlah lansia sebesar 4.671.430 jiwa (12,71%), sementara di Kecamatan Polokarto, Kabupaten Sukoharjo, tercatat 11.123 lansia dengan 14.327 kasus hipertensi (52,7%) dari total penduduk usia ≥15 tahun. Seiring bertambahnya usia, lansia mengalami penurunan fungsi organ yang meningkatkan risiko penyakit degeneratif seperti hipertensi. Kegiatan pengabdian ini bertujuan memberikan edukasi mengenai pemanfaatan jintan hitam (Nigella sativa L.) yang memiliki efek antioksidan, antiinflamasi, dan antihipertensi, serta mempromosikan senam lansia sebagai terapi nonfarmakologis. Kegiatan dilaksanakan melalui ceramah, pembagian produk jintan hitam (serbuk dan kapsul), serta senam lansia, dengan jumlah peserta 30 orang dan tingkat kehadiran 80% (24 peserta). Evaluasi dilakukan melalui pretest dan post test tertulis serta kuesioner kepuasan. Hasil menunjukkan peningkatan rata-rata nilai pengetahuan dari 62,27 (pretest) menjadi 76,82 (post test), serta 74% peserta menyatakan kegiatan sangat baik, 12% baik, dan 14% cukup. Hasil ini membuktikan bahwa edukasi berbasis bahan alam disertai aktivitas fisik sederhana dapat menjadi strategi promotif dan preventif yang efektif dalam mengendalikan hipertensi pada lansia.