Social Capital in Preventing HIV/AIDS Transmission among Men Who Have Sex with Men [MSM] with HIV in Indonesia

Abstract

The trend of Human Immonodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immonodeficiency syndrome has become a significant health problem in Indonesia. One of the primary factors contributing to the high transmission of the virus among the HIV-positive population, particularly men who have sex with men (MSM), is their practice of risky behavior. To address this issue, it is crucial to optimize social capital, including both structural and cognitive dimensions, to prevent the transmission of the disease and its progression to the advanced stage (AIDS). Therefore, this study aimed to explain the impact of social capital on in the prevention of HIV transmission among the MSM population with HIV-positive. This qualitative study was conducted in Jember, Indonesia, using a grounded theory approach between April and September 2021. Data were collected using in-depth interviews with 12 HIV-positive MSM obtained using purposive sampling. This study found that social networks were formed through community activities and associations built from participation in social activities, focused on improving the structural dimension of social capital. In the cognitive dimension, trust among HIV-positive peers was related to adherence to ARV treatment, including prevention and transmission. By providing information through both structural and cognitive dimensions, social capital can effectively prevent HIV transmission among MSM HIV-positive and serve as a behavior model in the prevention of the progression to AIDS. Therefore, the education of peers can be developed based on this social capital, providing a basis for effective interventions.