The Role of Peer Support in HIV Testing among Risk Groups with Social Influence and Communication Competency Approaches (Study in Tulungagung Regency, Indonesia)

Abstract

Patients with HIV/AIDS in Indonesia are increasing rapidly, especially in Tulungagung Regency, this requires
serious treatment to prevent an epidemic that continues to spread. The research was aimed at optimizing the
role of peer support in HIV testing in at-risk groups. The study was conducted descriptively observational.
The sample was a risk group consisting of FSW and MSM as many as 72 people. The results of the study
showed that 73% of the risk groups that had the effect of peer support had already taken an HIV test. The
most influential form of social influence on risk groups of 44.44% was conformity, which is the behavior of
the following habits in groups. In addition to the influence of peer support the communication competencies
of peer support also affect risk groups. 69.7% of the risk groups that received peer support motivation had
tested for HIV. A good level of peer support knowledge could affect 86.4% of the risk groups for testing.
Good peer support skills could influence 85.7% of risk groups to take an HIV test. It could be concluded that
knowledge from risk groups is related to attitudes and intentions to carry out HIV testing. Risk groups that
have good intentions, carry out HIV testing. Communication competency consists of motivation, knowledge
and skills related to HIV testing. Social influence was related to HIV testing. The form of social influence
most felt by risk groups was conformity, then compliance and the least perceived is obedience.