Internal factors influencing students' decisions in choosing a public health study program, faculty of public health, Halu Oleo University, Kendari, Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia, 2024
Authors: Rahman  , Lade Albar Kalza  , Laode Ahmad Saktiansyah  , Sri Tungga Dewi  
Published: November 2024

Background: The existence of public health colleges is very important to train professionals to handle various public health challenges. Data shows that Indonesia has 3,107 universities, of which 95.97% are private universities. In the field of public health, the Faculty of Public Health of Halu Oleo University (UHO), which was established in 2011, shows significant development with two study programs and six specializations relevant to the needs of the community. The increasing interest in the UHO Public Health Study Program, which is accredited B, reflects the high public interest in this field. Public health graduates have broad employment opportunities, thanks to the interdisciplinary skills they acquire. This study aims to analyze the factors that affect students' decisions in choosing a specialization in the UHO Public Health Study Program, which is expected to provide insights for curriculum development and strategies to increase learning interest in the field of public health. Methods: The research method uses a quantitative approach with an exploratory research type. The sample in this study is active students of each batch in the public health study program, Faculty of Public Health, Halu Oleo University. The number of samples was 392 respondents. The sampling technique uses Proportionated Stratified Random Sampling. Data analysis using SMARTPLS 4. Results: The results showed that there was no influence of image with a path coefficient output value of 0.040 and a construct value below 1.96 of 0.089 and a p value of 0.373 >0.05; there was an influence of interest with a path coeficient output value of 0.327 and a construct value above 1.96 of 6.854 and a p value of 0.000 <0.05; there was a psychological influence with a path coeficient output value of 0.327 and a construct value above 1.96 0.265 and the construction value above 1.96 is 5.270 and the p value is 0.000 <0.05; There is an influence of lecturers with a path efficiency output value of 0.308 and a construct value above 1.96 which is 6.854 and a p value of 0.000 <0.05 with a student decision in choosing the Public Health study program, Faculty of Public Health, Halu Oleo university. Conclusion: There is an influence of interest, psychology, and lecturers on students' decisions in choosing the Public Health study program and there is no influence on the student's decision in choosing the Public Health study program, Faculty of Public Health, Halu Oleo University. Therefore, the management of the study program needs to improve the quality of academic services and organizational development within the scope of FKM UHO by implementing various organizational development strategies through expanding academic access, providing infrastructure and facilities, and improving human resources. And the faculty needs to develop cross-sector cooperation to improve student competence so that the graduates produced are competent and ready to work