Based on data compiled by the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Indonesia, the estimated number of people living with HIV in 2020 is 543,075 spread throughout Indonesia. From the data on the HIV AIDS Information System (SIHA) report as of June 5, 2020, only 3,950 (1%) of a total of 394,769 people living with HIV had their viral load checked. This figure is still very far from the total number of existing cases, even though viral load checks are important to assess the effectiveness of ARV therapy and reduce the potential for transmission of People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA).
Stigma against PLWHA is one of the biggest obstacles in HIV/AIDS prevention, care, treatment, and support. Knowledge of HIV/AIDS affects the occurrence of stigma against PLWHA. According to the 2012 Indonesian Demographic and Health Survey (IDHS) data with a cross-sectional design. The results of the study show that 71.63% of adolescents have a stigma against PLWHA, 49.10% of adolescents have less knowledge about HIV.
Therefore, SCORA CIMSA UNAIR held a series of events, namely RADIANCE: Solidarity Toward HIV and AIDS with Care and Compassion to commemorate World Aids Day 2021 with the hope of increasing public awareness, regarding symptoms, causes, prevalence, stigma and early detection of HIV/AIDS.
RADIANCE comes as a project including an online campaign series and main event to contribute to World AIDS Day 2021. The online campaign series was held 3 times through social media such as Instagram, TikTok, and many more with engaged Media Partner to take part in this celebration. There is a Podcast named RADI-O (RADIANCE Open Talk) with the topic, “Cure and Care of HIV/AIDS during COVID-19 Pandemic” brought to us by Dr. Afif Nurul Hidayat, dr., Sp.KK, FINS-DV, FAADV from Perhimpunan Dokter Spesialis Kulit dan Kelamin Indonesia (PERDOSKI) Surabaya.
The main event was held online on 18 and 19 December 2021 in the form of a Quiz Competition using ZOOM Teleconference Meeting. RADIATION (Radiance Quiz Competition) is an intelligent form of competition aimed at preclinical medical students who discuss clinical aspects of HIV, AIDS, and other sexually transmitted diseases.
Through this event, we hope that the entire RADIANCE events can provide many benefits to the society so they are able to raise awareness, to support, and to end stigma about HIV/ AIDS.