STIGMA DAN DISKRIMINASI PADA ANAK DENGAN HIV AIDS (ADHA) DI SEPULUH KABUPATEN/KOTA DI INDONESIA

Background: Children with HIV are vulnerable groups that need to be protected, considering that their parents have often died of HIV/AIDS. Objective: The purpose is to find information about stigma and discrimination against children with HIV/AIDS in 10 districts in Indonesia. Method: The study was conducted in 2015 with a cross-sectional research design using quantitative and qualitative combined approaches (mixed methods approaches). Quantitative study respondents were parents/guardians of children with HIV/AIDS aged ≥18 months totaling 201 children with HIV/AIDS. The variables studied included: age, child status, children with HIV/AIDS companion and source of transmission), reasons for closing the ADHA status and reasons for opening status. The qualitative study informants were doctors, nurses, case managers, NGOs, and the Education Office Results: Quantitative results showed that 41.8% of children with HIV/AIDS were aged 4-9 years; 58.5% are in school; 61.7% of children with HIV/AIDS companions are biological parents; 91.5% of sources of transmission are from biological mothers; 57.5% of reasons for closing status because of shame/stigma/ discrimination, 45.9% of reasons for opening status because the family already knew. Qualitative results of stigma and discrimination occur in families, the environment, schools, and health services Conclusion: Children with HIV/AIDS are a vulnerable group that must be protected. They have the right to live properly and safely like other children. But the results of this study found that there was still stigma and discrimination for Children with HIV/AIDS, both in the home, school and health care facilities.