Depok, 23 December 2025 — The Doctoral Program in Epidemiology, Faculty of Public Health (FPH), Universitas Indonesia (UI), held an Open Doctoral Promotion Examination in Epidemiology for Hashem Sulaiman Hasan Arkok, an international student from Yemen who pursued his doctoral studies at UI through the KNB (Developing Countries Partnership) Scholarship scheme. This doctoral promotion reflects FPH UI’s commitment to advancing world-class public health education and research while strengthening global academic networks.
The open examination was chaired by Prof. drg. Nurhayati A. Prihartono, M.P.H., M.Sc., Sc.D., as Chair of the Session and Co-Promotor, with Dr. dr. Tri Yunis Miko Wahyono, M.Sc. serving as Promotor and Dr. Dipo Aldila, S.Si., M.Si. as Co-Promotor. The Examination Committee was led by Dr. Dian Ayubi, S.K.M., MQIH., with examiners including dr. Syahrizal Syarif, M.P.H., Ph.D.; Dr. dr. Hariadi Wibisono, M.P.H.; Dr. Soewarta Kosen, M.P.H., Dr.PH.; and Dr. dr. Vivi Setiawaty, M.Biomed., Ph.D.
During the examination, Hashem defended his dissertation entitled “Progress Towards Hepatitis B Elimination in Indonesia by 2030: A Comprehensive Assessment Study Conducted in 2025.”
In presenting the summary of his dissertation, Hashem explained that hepatitis B remains a significant public health problem in Indonesia and poses a major challenge to achieving the 2030 elimination target set by the World Health Organization (WHO). Despite various control efforts, progress has been uneven across regions and continues to face barriers related to epidemiological factors, the effectiveness of program interventions, and public understanding.
The study aimed to comprehensively assess Indonesia’s progress toward hepatitis B elimination using an integrated approach, including temporal and spatial analyses of hepatitis B incidence, the development and application of a mathematical SIVRM model as a novel model developed by the candidate, and a Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices (KAP) study among hepatitis B patients in Jakarta.
The temporal and spatial analyses revealed that hepatitis B incidence in Indonesia remains fluctuating, with a renewed increase in cases observed during the 2021–2022 period. Moreover, significant geographical disparities persist across provinces, particularly in West Papua and South Papua, which continue to report high hepatitis B incidence rates. These findings indicate that progress toward hepatitis B elimination in Indonesia remains uneven and requires the strengthening of more equitable interventions.
Through the SIVRM mathematical modeling, the study demonstrated that current control strategies are insufficient to achieve the WHO 2030 hepatitis B elimination targets, namely a 90% reduction in new infections and a 65% reduction in hepatitis-related mortality. Model projections indicate that elimination could potentially be achieved if adult vaccination coverage reaches at least 59% and infant vaccination coverage reaches at least 70%. In addition, the study identified a potential hepatitis B reactivation in approximately 30% of recovered individuals, underscoring the importance of long-term clinical monitoring.
Meanwhile, the KAP study among hepatitis B patients in Jakarta revealed persistent gaps in knowledge and health literacy, including misconceptions regarding transmission and preventive behaviors. Most patients had never participated in educational activities or hepatitis B awareness campaigns. The analysis showed a significant association between knowledge, attitudes, and practices, with higher levels of knowledge correlating with more positive preventive attitudes and practices.
Based on these overall findings, Hashem concluded that Indonesia’s progress toward hepatitis B elimination by 2030 remains suboptimal and uneven across regions. Therefore, there is a need to strengthen integrated and data-driven hepatitis B control strategies, increase vaccination coverage, expand screening efforts, enhance patient education, and ensure more equitable access to prevention and treatment services.
Based on the results of his dissertation, Hashem was declared to have successfully earned the degree of Doctor in Epidemiology with a cum laude distinction. He is the 19th graduate of the Epidemiology Doctoral Program in 2025, the 134th graduate of the Epidemiology Doctoral Program, and the 485th doctoral graduate overall at FPH UI.
The successful doctoral promotion of this international student further affirms the strategic role of FPH UI as a center of excellence in public health education and research at both national and global levels, actively contributing to addressing global health challenges through cross-country collaboration and innovative scientific approaches. (promovendus/wrk)