Women's Experiences HIV-related Stigma in Jakarta, Indonesia
Purpose: To explore women’s accounts of how they were treated when their HIV status became known and to describe the women’s recommendations for programs to support WLWH in Jakarta, Indonesia.
Method: 20 WLWH were recruited through a non-governmental organization. Data were collected from the participants using semi-structured in-depth interviews. The first interviews were conducted for 60 – 90 minutes. To confirm the initial findings, six participants were interviewed a second time. Interviews were recorded using a digital audio recorder, transcribed verbatim, and translated into English. Conventional content analysis was used to assess the women’s experiences of HIV stigma.
Results: Three themes relating to the treatment from others emerged: being treated negatively, receiving acceptance and support, and impacting their children. Women experienced negative treatment from their families, health care providers (HCPs), and neighbors because these groups were misinformed about HIV, fearful of being infected with HIV, and felt that the women should have to live with the consequences of marrying an injection drug user. Seeing women as a victim and realizing nothing could change the reality caused women received acceptance and support. The women reported that their children often suffered from the same treatment in the community. HIV-focused education programs were identified as the most-needed step to eliminate the stigma of living with HIV. These programs were viewed as needed for societal education.
Implications: To positively impact the fears and misconceptions of family, HCPs, and community members, more information about HIV is critically needed in Indonesia. This can be delivered in a form of role plays, posters, and workshops designed specifically for communities and healthcare providers.