“STIs and HIV: Concerns Rise as Lembata Deals with High Number of Cases”

TRIBUNFLORES.COM Reporter Report, RICKO WAWO

TRIBUNFLORES.COM, LEWOLEBA-Sexually Transmitted Infection Diseases (STIs) such as syphilis (lion king) and gonorrhea (gonorrhea) are potential entry points for someone to be infected with the HIV virus. STI sufferers have entered the window or suspect period which will eventually lead to HIV.

Health observer Nefri Eken said the phenomenon of the high number of STI sufferers in Lembata needed to be taken seriously. He encouraged the government to be more active in socializing, educating and routine health checks (blood tests) in schools, sub-districts and villages.

“Finally, in the meeting with the Acting Regent (Marsianus Jawa), we are pushing for an HIV test or screening in each Regional Apparatus Organization (OPD),” said Nefri when contacted, Saturday, May 27, 2023.

The process of HIV screening among civil servants needs to be carried out as part of the mapping of HIV and Aids cases in Lembata District. If an employee is found to be positive, then of course they will be given medication and controlled. If it is negative, then his party can provide education about sexual behavior that could potentially lead to STI or HIV infection.

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Nefri Eken also revealed the fact that there are more and more street sex workers in Lembata. From the results of the mapping and data collection he carried out with the Regional Aids Commission (KPAD) of Lembata Regency from 2019-2023, the number of street sex workers has reached 507 people. Their average age is 15-45 years. Most of these street sex workers are school dropouts, junior-high school students and single women.

Street sex workers in Lembata, he said, used to have active sex with more than five customers. In addition to boarding houses and residents’ rented houses, Nefri mentioned two places for sex transactions in the Waikilok area and in Pada village, Nubatukan District, which are still operating at night.

Unfortunately, from the results of counseling with them, on average these street sex workers have contracted HIV and STIs.

“There are also those who are not (infected with HIV or STI), but we must continue to monitor and control because getting this disease also depends on the immune system,” he said.

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