The Indonesian military response to HIV/AIDS : a focus in the United Nations peacekeeping operations
Document type: mthesis
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Abstract:
BACKGROUND: The HIV epidemic continues to rise in Indonesian military. Military personnel are at increased risk of getting HIV infection due to their mobility and nature of work. To defend the country from any threats is the main duty of the military service. Besides that, Indonesia also participates to United Nations Peacekeeping Operations since 1957. In 1993 seven Indonesian peacekeepers returned from a mission with HIV. It was the first HIV reported-case in military. A survey carried out in 2003 showed that the knowledge of HIV among the soldiers is low. Since then, Indonesian military initiated the HIV prevention programme for its personnel, ten years after HIV-finding among Indonesian peacekeepers. The compulsory HIV testing as a part of military policy which started in 2003 finds HIV-positive cases among peacekeepers. The trend shows that the epidemic of HIV keeps on growing in Indonesian peacekeepers. STUDY METHODS: The thesis is mainly used the primary data from Indonesian military headquarters. Most of the data are unpublished. A literature review was done to support the data analysis. The sources for the literature review were available at the KIT library and by searching from the internet. RESULT: One HIV case in military personnel was reported to the Indonesian military health centre in 2000. The same number case was reported in 2001, and in 2002 there were 2 cases. The HIV case rose into 23 in 2003 and keeps going up. The Democratic Republic on Congo is the destination of peacekeepers since 2003. Later on, in 2006 up to now Indonesia sends peacekeepers to Lebanon as well. The HIV cases among Indonesian peacekeepers show the similar pattern to Indonesian soldiers in general. In post-deployment test after peacekeeping operation accomplished, 1 HIV case in both 2005 and 2006 found to be 2 in 2007 and 4 in 2008. While HIV issues among peacekeepers need to be addressed, the HIV epidemic among soldier posted in Papua Island may not be underestimated. This situation is reflected by a result survey in 2007, showing that HIV prevalence among soldiers in Papua Island is the highest, which is 1.2% compared to 0.1-0.3% in other military-bases. CONCLUSION: The HIV epidemic in Indonesian military keeps rising. The military has the HIV prevention programme in which the sustainability of this programme should be ensured by the Chief of Indonesian military. Empathic approach from the high-rank officers in military is also needed to reduce stigma and discrimination issues surrounding personnel living with HIV/AIDS.
Authors:
Sari, I.
Country:
Indonesia
Category:
Research
Department:
Development Policy & Practice
Institute:
KIT (Royal Tropical Institute)
Keywords:
HIV and AIDS
,
disease prevention and control
,
armed forces
Language:
eng
Organization:
KIT - Royal Tropical Institute
PAGE:
vii, 43
Year:
2009
Region:
Southeast Asia
Right:
© 2009 Sari
Subject:
Health and Nutrition
Title:
The Indonesian military response to HIV/AIDS : a focus in the United Nations peacekeeping operations
Training:
Master of Public Health / International Course in Health Development (ICHD)