Survey Finds HIV/AIDS Knowledge Quite High, Yet Prevention Attitudes Remain Contradictory
A dissemination activity on HIV/AIDS in Lembata Regency, East Nusa Tenggara, revealed the latest survey results on the public’s level of knowledge and attitudes toward the disease.
The survey, conducted among 644 respondents, comprised 400 women, around 200 men, and the remainder from youths, older residents, and village officials (pemdes).
The study focused specifically on preventive actions, including how far the community’s knowledge of HIV/AIDS extends, attitudes toward people living with HIV (ODHIV), and the role of village officials in socialisation and prevention policy.
High Knowledge, Attitudes Still Problematic
Frengky Riberu, Programme Coordinator for Healthy Generation, Plan Indonesia Foundation, told this medium on Wednesday (4 March 2026) that the results show the majority of respondents have good knowledge of HIV/AIDS, including transmission and preventive measures.
Basic information on condom use, the importance of HIV testing, and transmission through risky sexual intercourse or shared needles have been known by most participants.
However, a contrasting finding emerged when the survey addressed social attitudes. Although knowledge is high, the tendency to avoid people living with HIV (ODHIV) is also very high. Many respondents said they were not comfortable interacting with ODHIV, whether in everyday interactions or social activities.
“This shows a rather strong contradiction,” said the survey team. “Good knowledge should reduce stigma, but in reality some people still choose to keep away.”
The survey also assessed the involvement of village officials (pemdes) in HIV/AIDS socialisation. Most respondents felt that socialisation and prevention policies at the village level were still minimal, so public understanding depends on general information and health facilities, rather than village programmes.
The limited role of pemdes is seen as expanding space for misinformation and social stigma, which remains strong in the public’s attitudes toward ODHIV.
Based on the data, the survey team recommends: