THE EFFECT OF SPIRITUAL INTERVENTION MODEL IN KARO CULTURE TO REDUCE HIV/AIDS STIGMA DURING PANDEMIC

Abstract

Public stigmatization of People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) is the main reason why they would indeed feel embarrassed and afraid of being ostracized if others found out the truth about them. Oftentimes,
they would also feel guilty for their behavior and develop negative feelings toward themselves which is referred to as internalized trauma. Internalized trauma is commonly linked to low self-esteem, in which
PLWHA give themselves a negative label. Spiritual intervention is suspected to reduce this negative labelling on PLWHA in Karo regency. Due to this reason, this study is conducted to figure out the influence
of spiritual intervention towards stigma reduction among PWLHA in Karo who meet the inclusion criteria. They were divided into two groups, namely intervention group (n=60) and control group (n=60). In each
group, the measurements of knowledge, stigma, religiosity, social support, stress, and family support were carried out. . The analysis disclosed both intervention and control group obtained p value = 0.000, therefore
the hypothesis was confirmed that the intervention model influenced all variables, but the stress variable on control group with p=0,383. To conclude, there are significant differences in knowledge, stigma, religiosity, social support, stress, and family support after the intervention was offered.

Keywords: spiritual, intervention, karo culture