Understanding HIV/AIDS Perception Using Health Belief Model of Female Sex Workers with HIV/AIDS Matahari Ratu1,*, Utami Fitriana Putri1 1Reproductive Health Department, Public Health Faculty, Ahmad Dahlan University, Yogyakarta-Indonesia *Corresponding Author: Ratu Matahari, Reproductive Health Department, Public Health Faculty, Ahmad Dahlan University, Yogyakarta-Indonesia Email: ratu.matahari@ikm.uad.ac.id
Online published on 20 March, 2019. Abstract Background The way of transmitting HIV/AIDS through sexual behavior with multiple partners. Female sex workers (FSWs) risky to transmitted HIV/AIDS and stigmatized by the community. There are still some sex worker women who do not use condoms to prevent transmission. The study aims to explore the perspectives of FSWs to HIV/AIDS about the disease. Method A qualitative study using in-depth interviews was conducted to seven female sex workers (FSWs) who are transmitted HIV/AIDS from April to May 2018. The in-depth interview guidelines explored about the FSWs perceptions on HIV/AIDS, the experiences of getting stigma and discrimination in the health services and their prevention behavior to their partners using Health Belief Model. Results HIV/AIDS is not a dangerous disease. The assumption that people living with HIV/AIDS can still work made a thought that the disease is not dangerous. Giving of health education has been done regularly to women sex workers, but there are still women sex workers who do not use condoms at work. Stigma and discrimination in health services are still being felt. The female sex workers perceptions and stigmatization of them are essential. Strengthening the role of peer educator in educating FSWs, educating the health workers, and also the local regulation or Peraturan Daerah about HIV/AIDS prevention should be implemented. Conclusion A comprehensive strategy to increase knowledge, understanding, and life skill should be considered in this setting. Health education is required to increase FSWs and health workers knowledge about HIV/AIDS. Public health strategies need to be strengthened in localization where health access is highly utilized. Top Keywords Female Sex Workers, HIV/AIDS, Health Belief Model. Top |