Depok, January 7, 2026 — The Faculty of Public Health (FPH), Universitas Indonesia (UI), has once again produced a Doctor in the field of Public Health through an open doctoral promotion session for Laksita Ri Hastiti. The promovendus successfully defended her dissertation examining the effects of hydration interventions on heat stress impacts and the risk of impaired kidney function among construction workers—an occupational health issue that is increasingly relevant amid the challenges of climate change.
The dissertation, entitled “Analysis of the Effects of Hydration Interventions on Heat Stress Impacts and the Risk of Kidney Function Impairment: A Pilot Study among Construction Workers at Building Project X, South Tangerang,” highlights the high risk of kidney disorders among construction workers exposed to extreme heat. Using a quasi-experimental pilot study design, the research analyzed the effects of various hydration intervention patterns on heat stress indicators and kidney function biomarkers, namely Serum Creatinine (SCr), Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR), and Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN).
Laksita’s study involved 46 construction workers divided into four groups: a control group, a rehydration intervention group, a prehydration and rehydration intervention group, and a rehydration with electrolyte intervention group. The results showed that hydration interventions had positive and consistent effects in improving kidney function, as indicated by significant decreases in SCr and BUN levels and increases in GFR. The strongest effects were observed in the groups receiving prehydration and rehydration as well as rehydration with electrolytes.
In addition to improving kidney function, hydration interventions were also proven to influence physiological heat stress indicators, particularly changes in systolic blood pressure from morning to midday. The study further found that age and exercise habits were significantly associated with changes in kidney function before and after the intervention, underscoring the importance of a holistic approach to preventing work-related kidney disorders.
In her dissertation, Laksita Ri Hastiti recommended the development of regulations and technical guidelines for hydration interventions in the construction sector, routine monitoring of heat exposure in the workplace, and kidney function screening for older workers. These findings are expected to serve as a scientific basis for sustainable prevention of kidney disorders and heat stress control in high-risk work sectors.
The doctoral promotion session was chaired by Prof. Dr. Indri Hapsari Susilowati, S.K.M., M.K.K.K., as Chair of the Session, with Prof. Dr. Ir. Sjahrul Meizar Nasri, M.Sc. in Hyg, HIU, serving as Chair of the Board of Examiners. The Promotor was Prof. Doni Hikmat Ramdhan, S.K.M., M.K.K.K., Ph.D., supported by Co-promotors Mila Tejamaya, S.Si., MOHS., Ph.D., and Dr. Laila Fitria, S.K.M., M.K.M. The examination panel consisted of Prof. Dr. dr. L. Meily Kurniawidjaja, M.Sc., Sp.Ok.; Dr. Iting Shofwati, S.T., M.K.K.K.; Dr. dr. Sudi Astono, M.S. (MKK); and Dr. drg. Heny D. Mayawati, M.K.K.K. Through this achievement, FPH UI once again reaffirmed its commitment to producing leading research that contributes tangibly to the development of occupational health policies and practices in Indonesia.
Based on the results of her dissertation, Laksita Ri Hastiti—who is also a lecturer in the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Department at FPH UI—was officially awarded the doctoral degree in Public Health. Laksita is the 2nd graduate of the Doctoral Program in Public Health in 2026, the 374th graduate of the Doctoral Program in Public Health, and the 491st doctoral graduate of FPH UI overall. (wrk)