The Faculty of Public Health (FPH) Universitas Indonesia (UI) has once again conferred a doctoral degree through a public doctoral promotion session held on Tuesday, July 1, 2025, at the Doctoral Promotion Room, Building G, FPH UI. On this occasion, Sirajuddien Bialangi successfully defended his dissertation titled “Factors Associated with the Quality of Life of People with Schizophrenia (PWS) in Gorontalo City.”
This research stems from growing concerns over schizophrenia, a severe mental disorder that affects cognitive functioning in complex ways. Currently, around 24 million people globally suffer from schizophrenia. In Indonesia, its prevalence reaches 6.7 per 100 households. Notably, in Gorontalo Province, the prevalence is significantly higher, with 80.4% of 260 recorded PWS cases. The low recovery rate has made this issue a major concern for both the public and the government.
Using a cross-sectional approach and systematic review, Sirajuddien identified four main factors influencing the quality of life of PWS: marital status, education level, employment, and family relationships. This study also introduced an innovation by applying a new scoring method to the WHOQOL-BREF instrument for more accurate measurement of PWS quality of life in Indonesia.
Data collected through interviews and questionnaires revealed that most PWS respondents were aged 36–40, male, unmarried, high school graduates or equivalent, unemployed, and had no income. Bivariate analysis found significant associations between quality of life and marital status, education, and income. Meanwhile, multivariate analysis revealed that income was the dominant factor, increasing the risk of poor quality of life by up to 4.66 times. In the end, the findings showed that 48% of PWS in Gorontalo were categorized as having a poor quality of life.
In his dissertation, Sirajuddien recommended that the Ministry of Health provide free mental health screening services and expand inclusive and community-based health services. He also advised the Ministry of Social Affairs to empower PWS through economic support and entrepreneurship training to improve their income and independence.
The Promoter, Dr. Tri Yunis Miko Wahyono, M.Sc., expressed his appreciation for the candidate’s hard work. “The challenges in your research were significant, especially in distinguishing the boundaries of normal thought processes as directly experienced by PWS. Congratulations on your degree—this end marks the beginning of your next career journey,” he stated.
The session was chaired by Prof. Dr. Besral, S.K.M., M.Sc., with Dr. Tri Yunis Miko Wahyono, M.Sc. as the Promoter, and dr. Syahrizal Syarif, M.P.H., Ph.D., and Dr. Hervita Diatri, Sp.KJ(K), M.Sc, Sp.Ok., as Co-Promoters. The examination committee consisted of Prof. Dr. Evi Martha, M.Kes.; Dr. Helda, M.Kes.; and dr. Soewarta Kosen, M.P.H., Dr.PH.
Following this session, Sirajuddien Bialangi was officially declared to have graduated with honors. He became the 15th graduate of the Doctoral Program in Epidemiology in 2025, the 130th graduate of the program overall, and the 468th doctoral graduate from FPH UI. (ITM)