THE EFFECT OF BLACK SESAME SEEDS (Sesamum indicum) ON INCREASING SERUM FERRITIN LEVELS FOR ANEMIA PREVENTION IN PREGNANT WOMEN

Abstract

Iron deficiency is the root cause of most cases of anemia. Iron is needed to address all physiological changes that occur during pregnancy, including fetal growth and development and the prevention of complications. Sesame seeds provide an additional source of iron. The prevalence of iron deficiency anemia in Indonesia among pregnant women, according to the 2021 Household Health Survey, was 24.5%. The prevalence in East Java Province in 2021 was 25.3%, while in Mojokerto Regency in 2021 it was 29.26%. The aim was to test the effect of administering black sesame seed capsules (Sesamum indicum) on increasing serum ferritin levels in pregnant women. This study used a quasi-experimental method with a one-group pretest-posttest design. The sample consisted of 28 pregnant women in their second trimester, 12-24 weeks of gestation, at the Bangsal Community Health Center in Mojokerto Regency. The treatment consisted of iron supplementation tablets (60 mg of elemental iron and 0.4 mg of folic acid) supplemented with black sesame seeds for 14 days, at a dose of 200 mg, taken once daily in the evening after meals. Serum ferritin examination using the ELFA (enzyme-linked fluorescent immunoassay) method. The study was conducted in September-October 2024. The results of the study obtained serum ferritin levels of pregnant women for Mean before intervention 42.57 µg / mL and Mean after intervention 44.93 µg / mL and a Delta difference (Δ) of 2.36 µg / mL. The results of the Wilcoxon test obtained a Significance value (Sig) of 0.001 <α 0.05 there is an effect of administering black sesame seed capsules (Sesamum indicum) on increasing serum ferritin levels in pregnant women. Black sesame seeds can be used as an alternative non-pharmacological treatment to increase hemoglobin levels in pregnant women if consumed regularly as an effort to prevent anemia by utilizing local plants as functional foods that are around us.