Although it tends to fluctuate, data on HIV AIDS cases in Indonesia continues to increase from year to year. Based on data from WHO in 2019, there were 78% of new HIV infections in the Asia Pacific region. Meanwhile, in Indonesia, as many as 50,282 people were infected with HIV and 7,036 people had AIDS in 2019. The five provinces with the highest number of HIV cases are East Java, DKI Jakarta, West Java, Central Java, and Papua, while the provinces with the highest number of AIDS cases are Central Java, Papua, and East Java, DKI Jakarta, and Riau Islands. The trend of the highest HIV and AIDS cases from 2017 to 2019 is still the same, which is mostly on the island of Java.
In the last article, we have discussed all the facts and things related to HIV. Ladies, this time, we will discuss about how to prevent HIV transmission. Something that we have to understand is the fact that we can interact with people who are living with HIV normally. However, even if someone has HIV, it would be unwise to just walk away from them.
Although HIV is classified as a disease that can cause death, at least HIV transmission can be prevented. We can prevent HIV and AIDS transmission with the concept of "ABCDE" as follows :
- A (abstinence) No Sex for those who are not married yet, not having sex before of marriage is the most appropriate step to avoid exposure to HIV
- B (be faithful) This means being mutually loyal to just only one sex partner. Avoid the behavior of changing partners to minimize the possibility of HIV transmission.
- C (condom) Prevent HIV transmission by using condoms. The use of a new condom every time you have sex, either through the vagina or through the anus is considered effective in preventing HIV transmission.
- D (don’t use drugs) Stay away from drugs, especially those consumed through injection needles. Avoiding sharing needles and syringes can also prevent infection with the hepatitis B virus
- E (education) Provide correct information about HIV, and how HIV transmission, prevention, and treatment, can help prevent HIV transmission in the community.
Another prevention that can be done is if someone is diagnosed with HIV positive and already married, immediately inform the partner to undergo an HIV test immediately. If someone is diagnosed with HIV during pregnancy, discuss with the doctor for the next steps for handling, planning for delivery, and ways to prevent mother-to-child transmission of HIV.
In addition, one of the emergency measures when someone suspects that he/she has just been exposed to the HIV virus (for example, because of having sex with an HIV patient or health services that accidentally get pricked by a needle from a former HIV patient, a victim of rape, and unprotected sex with someone who may be HIV positive). The doctor will prescribe post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP). PEP is a combination of three antiretroviral drugs that aim to prevent the development of HIV infection. This medication should be started within 72 hours of being exposed to HIV. In one prescription, this drug must be taken for 28 days.
Ladies, hopefully, through this article, we can avoid the possibility of getting HIV/AIDS. Remember, prevention is better than cure!
Sources :
Kementerian Kesehatan RI (2020). InfoDATIN. HIV dan AIDS 2020. https://pusdatin.kemkes.go.id/resources/download/pusdatin/infodatin/infodatin-2020-HIV.pdf
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2020). HIV Basics. About HIV. https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/basics/whatishiv.html