The Reason Why People Living with HIV Perform Delayed Test in High Density Stigma City of Indonesia: A Qualitative Study

Abstract

Delayed conducting tests had been a significant prevalence in the population at risk of HIV. Prompt access to healthcare services is important to prevent delays for HIV treatment and care. This study aimed to gain a deep understanding of the people living with HIV who experienced delaying conducting HIV tests. The exploration of HIV test services received by people living with HIV can provide a thick description related to their engagement with care and treatment. In-depth interviews were conducted to 22 people living with HIV and utilizing HIV test services. In this phenomenological qualitative study, the researchers used the Stevick-Colaizzi-Keen data analytical method. This study identified several themes experienced by people living with HIV. The themes were that people living with HIV was mentally not ready to expect the consequences, feared of the impacts, and ignorantly make safe. Test delay impacted HIV eradication success; it requires ease of access and full support from all social components.