Papua is the largest province in Indonesia and it is home to approximately 1 percent of Indonesia's population. However, approximately 40 percent of all HIV/AIDS cases in Indonesia are located in Papua. Currently, Papua has the highest HIV/AIDS infection rate in the country. That is 15 times higher than the national average and the highest HIV/AIDS prevalence outside of Africa.
Indigenous Papuans are the most vulnerable and face the highest risk of HIV/AIDS transmission, stigma...
more »Papua is the largest province in Indonesia and it is home to approximately 1 percent of Indonesia's population. However, approximately 40 percent of all HIV/AIDS cases in Indonesia are located in Papua. Currently, Papua has the highest HIV/AIDS infection rate in the country. That is 15 times higher than the national average and the highest HIV/AIDS prevalence outside of Africa.
Indigenous Papuans are the most vulnerable and face the highest risk of HIV/AIDS transmission, stigma and marginalized well-being, and mortality. Due to economic disparities, indigenous Papuans are most susceptible to poverty, malnutrition, unemployment, and illiteracy. Furthermore, discriminatory policies and practices have resulted in the denial of access to information, support, and preventive services necessary for indigenous Papuans to make informed decisions to reduce their vulnerability to infection. As a result, three out of every four people infected with HIV/AIDS in Papua are indigenous Papuans.
The plight of indigenous Papuans is under documented with very few articles and images depicting the issue accurately and thoroughly. The aim of my project is to further examine some of the factors responsible for the pandemic: poverty, lack of HIV/AIDS education and awareness, insufficient service and support, discrimination in healthcare, and stigma. I want to document the effects of HIV/AIDS among indigenous Papuans on children, young men and women, wives and husbands, families and community. Ultimately, I want to raise awareness that could lead to better care for indigenous Papuans facing or living with HIV/AIDS.
This epidemic had evidently jeopardizes the longevity of indigenous Papuans. Awareness, prevention, and access to comprehensive treatment and care are the cornerstones of effective responses to HIV/AIDS that must be guaranteed to ensure the highest attainable standard of health and well-being.
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