Determinants of HIV Stigma among Adolescents: A Comparative Analysis of 2007, 2012, and 2017 IDHS Data

¹ Department of Health Promotion, Faculty of Public Health, Diponegoro University, 50275 Semarang, Indonesia
² Department of Biostatistics and Population, Faculty of Public Health, Diponegoro University, 50275 Semarang, Indonesia

^* Corresponding author: nadashabrina@gmail.com

Abstract

In 2022, the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) stigma in Indonesia remained high, namely 68.7%, posing a challenge to efforts in combating HIV/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), especially among adolescents. This study aimed to identify the factors influencing HIV stigma toward people living with HIV (PLWH/PLHIV) among adolescents in Indonesia and examine changes from 2007 to 2017. Data from the 2007, 2012, and 2017 Indonesian Demographic and Health Surveys (IDHS) were analyzed using frequency distribution and multivariate logistic regression. HIV stigma decreased from 76% in 2007 to 61.6% in 2012 but slightly increased to 69.4% in 2017. Boys in 2012 were 1.15 times more likely to exhibit higher stigma than girls, but this trend reversed by 2017, with boys being 0.82 times less likely to be stigmatized by HIV. Urban residents had 1.4 times higher stigma in 2007 but were 0.88 times less likely to show stigma in 2017. Mass media exposure significantly influenced stigma reduction, with those reading or watching HIV-related content being 1.14 times and 1.13 times more likely to have lower stigma in 2012 and 2017, respectively. Higher HIV knowledge consistently reduced stigma, with those knowledgeable being 0.39 times less likely in 2007 and 0.23 times less likely in 2017. Targeted awareness campaigns and comprehensive education programs are essential in reducing stigma effectively.