Sociodemographic factors and HIV risk behavior among Indonesian women

HIV/AIDS remains a major global health problem, particularly among adolescents and young women. A study conducted in Indonesia revealed that HIV risk behavior among women aged 15 to 24 years increased from 80.2% in 2012 to 86.2% in 2017. This research highlights the importance of understanding to obtain socio-demographic factors that influence this risk behavior.

HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) is a virus that causes AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome). According to UNICEF data, in 2020, there were 410,000 new cases of HIV among people aged 10-24 years. In Indonesia, the trend of HIV infection is also showing an increase, with 18.3% of the total new cases occurring in adolescents aged 15-24 years.

This study aims to assess the factors that influence HIV risk behavior among young women in Indonesia. Using data from the 2012 and 2017 Indonesian Demographic and Health Survey (SDKI), researchers analyzed 23,210 female respondents.

The research results show that HIV risk behavior is closely related to several socio-demographic factors, including age, education, economic status, and sexual activity.

1. Age: Women aged 20-24 years are at higher risk than those aged 15-19 years. Although this risk decreased slightly in 2017, this age group is still vulnerable.
2. Education: The level of education plays an important role in reducing the risk of HIV. Women with lower education tend to engage in higher risk behaviors. Good knowledge of HIV/AIDS helps individuals take more effective preventive measures.
3. Economic Status: Research shows that women from wealthy families are at higher risk than women from poor families. This shows that social and economic factors can influence decisions regarding sexual behaviour.
4. Gender Action: Sexually active women are more likely to engage in HIV risk behaviors. Inconsistency in condom use and relationships with multiple sexual partners are major contributing factors.

These findings underscore the importance of targeted interventions to reduce HIV risk behaviors among young women. Comprehensive sex education programs must be implemented, especially in schools, to provide adequate knowledge about HIV/AIDS prevention. In addition, better access to health services should be provided to help women obtain the necessary information and services.

Increasing HIV risk behavior among young women in Indonesia is a major challenge. A multifaceted approach that considers socio-demographic factors is needed to overcome this problem. By increasing awareness, education and access to health services, it is hoped that we can reduce the spread of HIV and improve overall public health. Effective interventions will help not only women, but also the wider community in controlling the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Indonesia.

Author: Aria Aulia Nastiti, Mira Triharini, Retnayu Pradanie, Nursalam, Nuzul Qur’aniati, Alison Hutton, Zain Budi Syulthoni, Hidayat Arifin

Link: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0882596324003786

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