HIV testing of housewives with HIV in Lampung, Indonesia: A qualitative study

Objective: This study aimed to explore the experiences of housewives with HIV in Lampung, Indonesia, while undergoing HIV testing. Method: It used a phenomenological approach and purposive sampling as the participant selection technique. In total, 16 housewives with HIV were interviewed at the Voluntary Counseling Test (VCT) Clinic in Lampung, Indonesia. Data were analyzed using Colaizzi's method. Results: Our findings suggest that specific education on HIV and the importance of testing for it should be provided to housewives, who are often perceived as a group at low risk of contracting HIV. Conclusions: This will ultimately contribute to their awareness regarding undergoing HIV testing on their own. In addition, enhanced counseling services must be offered by healthcare facilities in order to motivate housewives to undergo HIV testing, reduce HIV stigma, and empower their roles as mothers.