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Misconceptions and stigma against people living with HIV/AIDS: a cross-sectional study from 2017 Indonesia Demographic and Health Survey
Authors: Desi Suantari
Source: Epidemiology and Health, DOI: 10.4178/epih.e2021094
Topic(s): Accepting attitudes toward people living with HIV (PLHIV)
HIV/AIDS
Country: Asia
  Indonesia
Published: NOV 2021
Abstract: Objectives: There is no data available in Indonesia to measure the main indicators of Zero New Infection, Zero AIDS-related death and Zero Stigma and Discrimination. This study aims to determine factors related to misconceptions about HIV transmission and stigma against PLWHA in Indonesia. Methods: Cross-sectional study used secondary data from the 2017 Indonesia Demographic and Health Survey (IDHS). The sample was women and men aged 17-45 years (N = 3023). Results: There are two variables that are significantly related to misconceptions about HIV transmission, namely educational level and wealth index quintile. The lower the education level of the respondents, the more likely they are to experience misconceptions about HIV transmission. Respondents who were in the poorest, poorer, middle and richer wealth index were more likely of experiencing misconceptions about HIV transmission as compared to respondents who were in the richest. Educational level, employment status and wealth index quintile are predictors of stigma against PLWHA. Conclusion: There are still many Indonesian people who experience misconceptions about HIV transmission and the magnitude of the stigma against PLWHA. Future studies should focus more on education programs or interventions aimed at increasing public knowledge and awareness, promoting compassion towards PLWHA and emphasizing on respect for the rights of PLWHA particularly in the population who are in poverty and uneducated.
Web: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34749487/