Our names are Kezia and Isabelle, and we are Anthropology and Development majors from Western Sydney University. We are part of the ACICIS Development Studies Immersion Program and have spent 8 weeks studying at UGM and 8 weeks completing an internship with Yayasan Vesta. Yayasan Vesta is a Yogyakarta-based organisation who work towards STI & HIV AIDS prevention for at risk groups, particularly the MSM, transgender women and female sex worker communities.
While at Vesta, we have been welcomed by so many wonderful staff and outreach workers who have taught us about HIV AIDS, PrEP, and accessing health services in Yogyakarta.
Each day, outreach workers assist clients to Puskesmas to access STI & HIV testing as well as PrEP, a preventative medication that can be taken to protect oneself from HIV if engaging in risky behaviour. It can feel intimidating for clients to access these services alone if they have not yet before. The outreach workers provide support, knowledge and a non-judgemental space for clients accessing testing. We were able to accompany outreach workers and clients to Puskesmas and learn about the process of accessing PrEP as well as STI testing.
Additionally, each week there is a VCT Mobile available at the Yayasan Vesta Office. Here, the staff and outreach workers have created a safe, non-judgemental environment for the community to receive free testing without having to visit the Puskesmas. Not all community members can access morning testing at Puskesmas due to work or other commitments. The testing at the Yayasan Vesta office is available during the evening, generally held on Fridays and additional testing other weekday nights as well. Health professionals from local Puskesmas attend to do blood tests while Vesta staff greet clients, register their details, and provide direction as well as food and drink after testing. Pre- and Post-testing counselling is included from certified outreach workers and staff. This helps clients have a better understanding of STI, HIV and medications available for reactive cases. During our time, we spent time observing and assisting with the VCT mobile and even had tests ourselves. We mainly assisted with consumption – handing out meal boxes to clients after their test as well as documentation of the events.
In November, we joined Kak Tamee from the PSP Division and Kak Tama at the Sleman Department of Health to learn how Vesta advocates for Female Sex Workers. Vesta creates proposals for PSP to legally work in Yogyakarta and presents them to heads of the department for approval. We were able to join and observe the process and meet the department heads at the Sleman Department of Health.
After visiting multiple Puskesmas with outreach workers, we researched current HIV stats and accessing PrEP in Australia. We had some prior knowledge on HIV & STI testing. Australia has a comprehensive sexual education program in public schools which has assisted in low numbers of HIV and other STI’s. We put together a presentation and article on the topic of HIV & PrEP in Australia and presented this to Vesta staff with a Q&A session afterward.
On December 1st, we were able to assist and observe the World Aid’s Day event at Sleman City Hall. There was a talk show on the main stage that focused on addressing inequality that hinders progress in ending HIV & AIDS. The Vesta team had a large-scale testing area that included testing not just for HIV and other STI’s but for blood pressure, blood sugar and gout. Health Professionals from Puskesmas Sleman and Public Health interns completed the testing while Vesta staff greeted clients, registered details, ushered clients to each area and provided the pre and post testing counselling. Additionally, staff handed out fliers throughout the shopping centre promoting the testing and provided clients with food and drink after their test. We assisted with handing out fliers and documentation of the event. We were also asked to speak briefly about HIV in Australia on the main stage. We spoke again about the importance of adequate sexual health education from a young age in preventing HIV & other STI’s.
Throughout our time at the office, we practiced and improved our Bahasa Indonesia skills as well as teaching outreach workers and staff more English. Each Thursday, staff take turns in presenting on current issues or topics in the field for example preventing the transmission of HIV from mother to baby. This has been one of our favourite parts of the experience and it’s a great way to share knowledge and connect with one another.
We have thoroughly enjoyed our time at Vesta and have gained so much knowledge about HIV and Indonesia that we are grateful to be able to bring back to Australia. It was a joy to share about Australia with staff too and working in a Cross-cultural environment has been an invaluable experience.
When it comes to the perceptions of HIV and other STI’s, there are many cultural differences between Australia and Indonesia. The large number of HIV positive cases in Indonesia can be an indicator of how the perception of sexual health impacts risky behaviour that results in STIs and HIV.
As of 2021, there was an estimated 27,000 new cases of HIV in Indonesia. In Australia, there were less than 1000 new cases. When it comes to sex, sexuality, and sexual health Australia is more open about discussing sensitive topics. In Australian schools, children are taught sexual education from a young age, beginning with age-appropriate information about the human body and its functions. As children become older, they are provided with information in high school about safe sex and prevention of STI’s. This year, a bill proposing the inclusion of consent in sexual education classes was passed in Australia and will be implemented in 2023. Although Australian children are given some guidance, school sex education is not fully comprehensive and focuses only on heterosexual penetrative sex.
These topics are not as taboo in Australian society and The Australian government have made it illegal to discriminate against someone due to their health status, which includes having HIV. At Sydney Mardi Gras, the significant theme is HIV AIDS to address the disease.
By the end of 2020, Australia was estimated to have 29,090 people living with HIV with an estimated 2,610 unaware of their status. From this, 44% of new HIV cases were diagnosed late. In Australia, 90% of people with HIV have been diagnosed, and from that 90% have received treatment and another 90% have an undetectable viral load. Most transmission of HIV in Australia tens to occur when one partner is infected but does not know and 58% of cases in 2020 were MSM, 24% of cases identify as heterosexual.
To access PrEP in Australia, residents who have access to Medicare (Australia’s health care) can access one month of prep for the subsidised price of $20 AUD. For those who cannot access Medicare, it is $260 AUD for one month. This is usually obtained with a prescription from your doctor or a sexual health clinic. It should be noted that Medicare is only available to Australia citizens which means many immigrants are forced to pay the full, unsubsidised rate
When trying to access PrEP, doctors will test patient’s HIV status as well as their status of other STI’s, and kidney problems. They will then speak with the patient about their sexual activity and explain the possible side effects of PrEP. Patients can then receive their PrEP prescription and will need to regularly visit their doctor and continue having HIV & STI tests every 3 months.
Although Australia’s national sex education has resulted in lower rates of HIV and other STI’s, there is still progress to be made in making sexual health education more inclusive for LGBT students.
When it comes to the perceptions of HIV and other STI’s, there are many cultural differences between Australia and Indonesia. The large number of HIV positive cases in Indonesia can be an indicator of how the perception of sexual health impacts risky behaviour that results in STIs and HIV.
As of 2021, there was an estimated 27,000 new cases of HIV in Indonesia. In Australia, there were less than 1000 new cases. When it comes to sex, sexuality, and sexual health Australia is more open about discussing sensitive topics. In Australian schools, children are taught sexual education from a young age, beginning with age-appropriate information about the human body and its functions. As children become older, they are provided with information in high school about safe sex and prevention of STI’s. This year, a bill proposing the inclusion of consent in sexual education classes was passed in Australia and will be implemented in 2023. Although Australian children are given some guidance, school sex education is not fully comprehensive and focuses only on heterosexual penetrative sex.
These topics are not as taboo in Australian society and The Australian government have made it illegal to discriminate against someone due to their health status, which includes having HIV. At Sydney Mardi Gras, the significant theme is HIV AIDS to address the disease.
By the end of 2020, Australia was estimated to have 29,090 people living with HIV with an estimated 2,610 unaware of their status. From this, 44% of new HIV cases were diagnosed late. In Australia, 90% of people with HIV have been diagnosed, and from that 90% have received treatment and another 90% have an undetectable viral load. Most transmission of HIV in Australia tens to occur when one partner is infected but does not know and 58% of cases in 2020 were MSM, 24% of cases identify as heterosexual.
To access PrEP in Australia, residents who have access to Medicare (Australia’s health care) can access one month of prep for the subsidised price of $20 AUD. For those who cannot access Medicare, it is $260 AUD for one month. This is usually obtained with a prescription from your doctor or a sexual health clinic. It should be noted that Medicare is only available to Australia citizens which means many immigrants are forced to pay the full, unsubsidised rate
When trying to access PrEP, doctors will test patient’s HIV status as well as their status of other STI’s, and kidney problems. They will then speak with the patient about their sexual activity and explain the possible side effects of PrEP. Patients can then receive their PrEP prescription and will need to regularly visit their doctor and continue having HIV & STI tests every 3 months.
Although Australia’s national sex education has resulted in lower rates of HIV and other STI’s, there is still progress to be made in making sexual health education more inclusive for LGBT students.
written by Isabelle