THE AIDS HEALTHCARE FOUNDATION’S INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION TO REDUCE STIGMA, DISCRIMINATION, AND LOST TO FOLLOW UP PLWHA A Case study Bali Province period 2021

Abstract

The Indonesian government’s program still includes HIV/AIDS prevention as a top priority. The number of people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) increases daily, while the handling of HIV cases remains out of control. A signifcant proportion of HIV patients are lost to follow-up in the feld, which is one of the difculties faced by HIV patients. Moreover, the issue of societal stigma and prejudice towards PLWHA is still a major concern in Indonesia and the rest of the world. Social stigma, prejudice, and isolation in social life is still scary outcome. This research seeks to examine the role and communication techniques of the international NGO the Aids Healthcare Foundation interpersonal communication in reducing stigma, discrimination, and loss to follow up PLWHA based on the stages of the interpersonal communication process using social penetration theory. The utilized research methodology is a combination of qualitative descriptive and case study techniques. The data collection methods include in-depth interviews, participant observation, and a review of the literature. The fndings of this study indicate that stigma and prejudice against PLWHA clients remain high, leading the rate of clients who are lost to follow-up to continue to increase. Nonetheless, AHF was there as a government partner to lower this to meet the 2030 SDG target through an interpersonal communication approach with PLWHA.