The stigma against ODHA has a significant impact on HIV/AIDS prevention and control programs because people will be reluctant to carry out HIV tests. After all, if a positive result comes out, they will be afraid of being ostracized. Therefore, the APHSA BEM FKM UNAIR Study and Professional Division held an APHSA Social Campaign activity, which had a series of webinars and campaigns with the theme “Cut the Distance with ODHA/ODHIV” which was held on 27 August-10 September 2023. Participants from the series of activities This reached more than 200 people.
The APHSA Social Campaign webinar presented two speakers, namely Dr. Arief Hargono, drg., M.Kes., a lecturer from the EBIOP Department FKM UNAIR, and Ms. Suksma Ratri, who is an HIV survivor. In this webinar, Dr. Arief Hargono, drg., M.Kes. explained material about what HIV/AIDS itself is and HIV/AIDS control and prevention programs. With this material, it is hoped that the community, especially the younger generation, can break the stigma and discrimination against ODHA. Meanwhile, Ms. Ratri focused on telling the ups and downs and experiences of her life during the 17 years of being infected with HIV.
After the webinar, the next series of events is a social campaign, which is carried out online and offline. The APHSA BEM FKM UNAIR Study and Professional Division conducted an open donation distributed to the Spiritia Foundation, an organization engaged in improving the quality of life of ODHA through a peer support system in Indonesia. In an online social campaign on 28-30 August 2023, 144 volunteers from various regions spread education about HIV/AIDS through their personal Instagram feeds and stories. The offline social campaign will be held on Sunday, September 10, 2023, at Taman Bungkul, Surabaya. This activity was also covered on one of the Indonesian TV stations.
This activity succeeded in increasing public awareness about HIV/AIDS, with some participants claiming to have gained new knowledge regarding this disease. The various evaluations carried out show that there is a reduction in public stigma towards individuals living with HIV/AIDS, especially after hearing the education provided during the webinar and direct experience from Ms. Suksma Ratri as an HIV sufferer.