Two students from the Faculty of Public Health (FPH) at the Universitas Indonesia (UI) have recently received awards at the 55th Asia Pacific Academic Consortium for Public Health (APACPH) 2024 international conference. The students are from the Master’s Program in Public Health, Yudha Asy’ari, S.ST. Ft., S.K.M., who won the 1st best oral presenter award, and Ulfi Hida Zainita, S.K.M., who won the best oral presenter award at the 55th APACPH held from October 22 to 25, 2024, at BEXCO, Busan, South Korea.
In his presentation, Yudha chose the topic of epidemiology with the title “Analysis of the Factors Influencing Outcome in Patients with Spinal Cord Injury in Jakarta.” His research aimed to identify the factors contributing to better outcomes for spinal cord injury (SCI) patients during their hospitalization. “Spinal cord injury (SCI) can lead to morbidity and mortality. The damage can affect motor, sensory, mental, sexual, and economic aspects,” Yudha explained. His research used a cross-sectional institutional design to analyze SCI patients treated at Fatmawati General Hospital between 2020 and 2021.
Various factors can influence better outcomes for hospitalized SCI patients. His findings revealed that age, etiology, and the American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) Impairment Scale upon admission all had a significant impact on how outcomes change for SCI patients in Jakarta. “Therefore, we highlight the policies needed, such as regulations from the Ministry of Health related to preventing infectious diseases that could cause SCI, so that SCI cases are minimized,” Yudha concluded. Yudha was evaluated by Prof. Yoon Moonsoo from Yonsei University and Prof. Jeffery Stephen from Universiti Malaysia Sarawak as the session chairpersons.
Meanwhile, Ulfi chose the topic of urban-rural environments with the title “A Nationwide Study: Climate Change Prevention Behavior among Indonesian Adolescents.” Her research aimed to identify climate change prevention behaviors among Indonesian adolescents. Ulfi emphasized that climate change has the potential to threaten the basic rights of Indonesian adolescents. Therefore, climate change prevention behavior is essential to protect their future lives. In her research conducted among adolescents from Surabaya, Banjarbaru, Makassar, Kupang, and Jambi, Ulfi found that climate change prevention behavior was influenced by parental education levels. Adolescents whose parents had completed junior high school, senior high school, or university had significantly better climate change prevention behaviors compared to those with parents who had lower education levels (elementary school or none).
“Parental cooperation is needed to cultivate climate change prevention behavior at home as a complement to the education received by their children in school. Promoting this behavior will build a healthy and safe environment for children’s future lives,” Ulfi said. Ulfi was evaluated by Prof. Victor Hoe from the University of Malaya as the session chairperson.
Yudha and Ulfi were selected as the best oral presenters, competing with 500 participants from various countries across the Asia-Pacific region. Their presentation delivery and responses to questions during the Q&A session were considered to meet the evaluation criteria set by the chairpersons of each topic.
The 55th APACPH 2024, themed “Shifting Paradigm for Future Society and Community,” aims to build a platform for pioneering cutting-edge scientific advancements such as gene editing and artificial intelligence, which will shape the future societal landscape. In addition, APACPH actively engages in and facilitates in-depth discussions about the important roles and contributions of public health, as well as exploring the necessary preparations and responsibilities for training outstanding public health professionals in the future.
The Dean of FPH UI, Prof. dr. Mondastri Korib Sudaryo, M.S., D.Sc., welcomed and appreciated the achievements of FPH UI students who have brought the name of FPH UI to the international stage. “Alhamdulillah, FPH UI continues to be proud of our students’ achievements. This time, FPH UI’s Master’s students Yudha and Ulfi have brought international recognition. The numerous international achievements of FPH students prove that FPH UI has consistently succeeded in its internationalization efforts,” said the Dean of FPH UI. He also encouraged other students to serve as brand ambassadors, bringing honor to the faculty and Indonesia on both the national and global stages through their achievements. (wrk)