SOCIAL DETERMINANT FACTORS OF OPPORTUNISTIC INFECTIONS SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES IN HIV SUFFERER

Abstract

BACKGROUND : Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) such as syphilis are still often found and are one of the opportunistic infections in people with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). The prevalence of syphilis STDs in people with HIV is greater than in HIV-negative patients, 9.8% and 1.3%, respectively. The incidence of syphilis and HIV co-infection is increasing, especially in the MSM population. This study aims to analyze in depth the social determinants of opportunistic infections of sexually transmitted diseases in people with HIV in South Sulawesi Province. METHOD : This study used a qualitative approach to six people with HIV, who were interviewed in depth regarding the social behavior that caused them to contract sexually transmitted infections even though they had tested positive for HIV. RESULTS & DISCUSSION : HIV sufferers who experience STD co-infection, aged between 17-35 years, with the highest education of Bachelor, with private and self-employed jobs, and until now are still actively engaging in sexual activities at risk of contracting STDs, namely not using condoms during sexual intercourse, having sex with same-sex partners (dominated by MSM), generally previously admitted to having a boyfriend of the opposite sex but had no interest in having sex with a partner of the opposite sex. They admitted to being faithful to one partner when building a romantic relationship, but their partner was often unfaithful. Some of them admitted to living in the same house for years with their same-sex boyfriend, although there were also those who lived in different cities with their partners, so their sexual activity depended on the intensity of meetings, some did it routinely and some only occasionally when they met. Only one of the six admitted that his HIV status was known to his family and accepted the condition, one person admitted to experiencing stigma and discrimination by being expelled from training activities because his HIV status was discovered by the event organizing committee. Symptoms of sexually transmitted diseases experienced include purulent urination and genital warts. CONCLUSION : The most prominent social determinant factor that causes HIV sufferers to contract STDs is risky sexual behavior, namely unprotected same-sex sexual relations.