The Importance of Communicative Action to the Successful AIDS-Responsive Structured Peer Education

Abstract

Peer education is one of intervention activities to change health behavior in coping with AIDS. The objective of research was to study the importance of communicative action to the successful AIDS-responsive structured peer education of housewives. This qualitative research with exploratory approach was taken place in Surakarta, Indonesia, using non-participatory observation, documentation, and in-depth interview with housewives, either infected or not infected with HIV, as peer educator and target of AIDS overcoming program, also Health Service, Surakarta AIDS Commission, Spek HAM NGO and Solo Plus Peer Support Group. Data analysis was conducted using an interactive model of analysis with Habermas communicative action theory. The result of research showed improved knowledge, positive attitude and behavior of housewives having gotten peer education about AIDS overcoming. The successful AIDS-responsive structured peer education for housewives was determined by some conditions: peer educator should understand the goal of program, be committed to the objective to be achieved, consider the need of program running, and be able to solve problem likely occurring, be informative, have credibility and supervise AIDS overcoming effectively. Peer educator, peer promoter and peer contact needed training in the terms of interpersonal communication skill and public speaking, and intensive supervision support. Keywords—AIDS overcoming; communicative action; housewives; peer education; structured