The Faculty of Public Health (FKM) Universitas Indonesia (UI) is again proud of the achievements made by its students. Tasya Nabila Purwaningtyas from the Regular Bachelor Program of Public Health Class of 2021 was named 1st Place in the Selection of Public Health Outstanding Students at the Regional Level of Banten, DKI Jakarta, and West Java. Tasya presented 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 (Work from Anywhere /WFA). Even after the pandemic is over, the majority of 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— activities that refer to all types of activities carried out outside sleep time, with the characteristics of very little calorie output, namely <1.5 METs— and sitting for too long can increase the risk of non-transmittable diseases such as hypertension, obesity, cancer, and even type diabetes. 2. 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. It is also able to help work-from-home workers who have a high potential risk of sedentary behavior and reduce the duration of sitting for too long. This work desk is widely recommended because it allows users to vary working postures as well as 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 FKM UI. “The first time I got information about this competition was from FKM UI Student Affairs. During the process, FKM UI Student Affairs helped me a lot, especially with matters related to file selection. Apart from that, my seniors at FKM UI also helped a lot in the creation of my creative ideas. I also want to thank drg. Baiduri Widanarko, M.K.K.K., Ph.D., as my supervisor, who has provided a lot of input,” said Tasya.
Her 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, she 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.
The selection of outstanding public health students was first 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. FKM 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.
Author: FKM UI Public Relations/ editor: Finda Salsabila
