NERS NEWS — Undergraduate students from the Faculty of Nursing, Universitas Airlangga, through a Project-Based Learning (PJBL) initiative integrated with Pediatric Nursing, Maternity Nursing, and Psychosocial and Cultural Aspects in Nursing courses, successfully launched a health education program called GENESIS (Gerakan Edukasi Nutrisi Sehat Ibu dan Anak / Healthy Nutrition Education Movement for Mothers and Children). Carrying the theme “Awareness on Packaged Food and Beverage Consumption for Pregnant Women and Children,” the event was held on Saturday, May 30, 2026, at the Balai RW 05 Hall, Airlangga Sub-district, Gubeng District, Surabaya. This initiative aimed to enhance community knowledge regarding healthy dietary habits for expectant mothers and children.
The GENESIS program was delivered through an educational seminar and interactive discussions focusing on the hidden dangers of sugar-sweetened beverages and packaged foods, the risk of gestational diabetes in pregnant women, the long-term impacts on pediatric health, and the essential skill of reading nutrition facts labels on packaged products. Additionally, participants received practical guidance on selecting safe, healthy foods and beverages that meet proper nutritional requirements to support maternal health during pregnancy and ensure optimal child growth and development.
The project involved PJBL students from Group 3, Class A1, Class of 2024, Faculty of Nursing, Universitas Airlangga, under the academic supervision of Dr. Kristiawati, S.Kep., M.Kep., Ns.Sp.Kep.An. and Tiyas Kusumaningrum, S.Kep., Ns., M.Kep. The program took place from 09:00 AM to 12:00 PM WIB at Balai RW 05, Jalan Gubeng Kertajaya IX Raya No. 6, Airlangga Sub-district, Gubeng District, Surabaya. The target audience included the general public, particularly pregnant women, parents, and housewives who face high exposure risks to the consumption of sugar-sweetened packaged foods and beverages.
The primary objective of the GENESIS program was to boost community awareness and vigilance, guiding residents to choose safer, healthier, and nutritionally appropriate foods. By the end of the session, participants were expected to evaluate the ingredients of packaged products, read nutrition labels proficiently, limit excessive sugar intake, and adopt healthy lifestyles to mitigate the risks of gestational diabetes and other non-communicable diseases (NCDs). This initiative also supports the advancement of Sustainable Development Goal 3: Good Health and Well-Being through promotive and preventive efforts aimed at improving maternal and child health at the community level.
Nasywaa Mardhiyah Indrayani, the head of the organizing committee, expressed her hope that the GENESIS program could serve as a foundational step in building public consciousness regarding healthy consumption habits starting from pregnancy. Through this PJBL project, students not only implement the knowledge acquired in their lectures but also make a tangible contribution to society through applicable and sustainable health education. It is envisioned that similar programs will continue to be implemented as a form of community service while supporting the improvement of maternal and child health standards across Indonesia.
The Head of RW 05 in Airlangga Sub-district expressed high appreciation to the Unair nursing students for organizing the GENESIS program. He noted that such health education activities are immensely beneficial because they provide easily digestible information regarding the importance of selecting healthy dietary options for pregnant women and children.
“We would like to thank the Universitas Airlangga nursing students for conducting this educational program. The material presented is highly relevant to current community needs, and we hope it will help our residents adopt healthier lifestyles in their daily lives,” he stated.
Through the GENESIS PJBL activity, nursing students bridge academic theory with real-world practice, offering a concrete contribution through sustainable health education. Continuing these initiatives will reinforce community empowerment, safeguard maternal and neonatal outcomes, and accelerate the fulfillment of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Indonesia.
Author: Delina Citra Aurilia
Editor: Farah Dina Azizatul Aulia (Airlangga Nursing Journalist)
