Changes in hemoglobin (Hb), hematocrit (Hct), and random blood glucose (RBG) levels before and after the GEMPITA breakfast program

Andi Ita Maghfirah (Departemen Patologi Klinik, Fakultas Kedokteran, Universitas Alkhairaat)
Rosa Dwi Wahyuni (Departemen Patologi Klinik, Fakultas Kedokteran, Universitas Tadulako)
Suriyanti Suriyanti (Departemen Patologi Klinik, Fakultas Kedokteran, Universitas Alkhairaat)
Haerani Harun (Departemen Patologi Klinik, Fakultas Kedokteran, Universitas Tadulako)
Reny Arniwaty Lamadjido (Perhimpunan Dokter Spesialis Patologi Klinik dan Kedokteran Laboratorium Indonesia (PDS PatKLIn) Cabang Palu)

Malahayati International Journal of Nursing and Health Science
Vol. 9 No. 8 (2026): Volume 9 Number 8

Background: The joint breakfast movement (Gerakan Mangande Padondo Ante Kita), known as GEMPITA, is a program of the Central Sulawesi Provincial Health Office aimed at improving the nutritional status of school-aged children in Palu City. Purpose: To examine changes in hemoglobin (Hb), hematocrit (Hct), and random blood glucose (RBG) levels following a 4 weeks breakfast intervention at Junior High School (SMP) 22 Pantoloan, Palu City. Method: This was a pre-experimental study using a one-group pretest posttest design involving all students of SMP 22 Pantoloan. Hb, Hct, and RBG were measured using a Fora 6 Plus point of care testing (POCT) device. Of 111 enrolled students, only 35 paired blood samples met the inclusion criteria and were analyzed before and after the 4 weeks breakfast intervention. Results: Paired t-test analysis of the 35 samples showed no statistically significant change in Hb or Hct levels before and after the 4 weeks intervention, whereas RBG levels changed significantly (p<0.05). Conclusion: A significant change in RBG level was observed before and after the GEMPITA program, while no significant change was observed in Hb or Hct levels.