The Faculty of Public Health (FPH) Universitas Indonesia (UI) is again proud of the achievements made by its student. On September 23, 2023, Tasya Nabila Purwaningtyas from the 2021 Regular Bachelor of Public Health was crowned 1st Place in the Selection of Students with Outstanding Public Health Achievements at the Regional Level of Banten, DKI Jakarta and West Java. Tasya raised a creative idea entitled “Height Adjustable Standing Desk to Reduce Sedentary Behavior in Work from Home Workers”.
The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the trend of work systems from working in the office (Work from Office/WFO) to working at home (Work from Home/WFH) and even working from anywhere (WFA). Even after the pandemic is over, most Indonesian workers choose to implement a hybrid work system that combines WFO and WFH systems. This results in many workers developing sedentary behavior due to sitting for 8 hours or more.
Sedentary behavior and sitting for too long can increase the risk of non-communicable diseases such as hypertension, obesity, cancer, and type 2 diabetes. Sedentary behavior also poses a greater danger than smoking or obesity.
Based on this, Tasya proposed an idea in the form of a height adjustable standing desk to change the sedentary behavior of WFH workers. Height adjustable standing desk is a table whose height can be adjusted according to the worker’s height. This table is used as a replacement for conventional tables which require workers to move more while working. The height adjustable standing desk is also equipped with a footrest and mat to reduce fatigue when standing.
Users of this height adjustable standing desk will be able to work in a sitting or standing posture. So, using this desk can help work from home workers who have a high potential risk of sedentary behavior and reduce the duration of sitting that is too long. This work desk is widely recommended because it allows users to vary working postures. Using this height adjustable standing desk can reduce complaints on the back, neck, and shoulders due to continuous sitting posture.
In the competition selection process, Tasya admitted that she received great support from FPH UI. “The first time I got information about this competition was from FPH UI Student Affairs. During the process, FPH UI Student Affairs helped me a lot, especially with matters related to file selection. Apart from that, my seniors at FPH UI also helped a lot in creating my creative ideas. I also want to thank Drg. “Baiduri Widanarko, M.K.K.K., Ph.D., as my supervisor, has provided a lot of input,” he said. When asked about the impression of winning first place at regional level, Tasya answered that she did not expect it. His motivation for participating in the selection of outstanding students was initially only to gain experience and as a start to taking part in subsequent competitions. However, with effort, prayer, and support from the surrounding environment, he managed to become 1st place at the regional level.
“Tasya’s perseverance in learning new things is truly impressive. It was very easy to guide Tasya because Tasya never gave up on any challenges, I gave her. My message is, continue to be a strong learner, to explore unlimited potential,” said Drg. Baiduri Widanarko, M.K.K.K., Ph.D., as supervisor.
This selection of outstanding public health students is the first to be held in 2023 by the Association of Indonesian Public Health Higher Education Institutions (AIPTKMI). The selection process includes internal university selection, file selection, creative idea selection, as well as presentations and interviews in Indonesian and English.
FPH UI is certainly proud of Tasya’s achievements. It is hoped that this achievement will have a good impact on Tasya as well as make the name of her beloved alma mater proud. (WR)
