Denpasar ( 18/10 ) My name is Umi Musriah, I was one of the Field Officers and Field Coordinator in the team Prevention Through Sexual Transmission ( PMTs ) at Bali Health Foundation ( Yakeba ) . My task area includes South Badung that there is the location of Female Sex Workers (FSW), according to data as of August 2013 there were 205 at that location WPS in 16 house. Every day of my activities is to provide counselling, Refers FSW to examination of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and Voluntary Counselling Test (VCT) to the Community Health Center (Puskesmas) nearby.
Besides my daily tasks with PMTs Yakeba team is to provide individual counselling and group discussions we’ve done alternately in each house that is in that location. We always advise them to cease routine health check and give them understanding about safe behaviour in sex by always using condoms with regular partners and both couples are not permanent so as not infected with STIs.
After providing counselling, I approached one of the FSW just call her Bunga (not her real name). She was 28 years old, not married and she is willing to undertake VCT. After knowing the results her VCT, Bunga felt frightened because the result is HIV positive. Bunga contact me via mobile phone and complain about her results. Bunga was afraid to friends and pimp when her HIV status is known. One way is to follow up Bunga to CD4 testing to bring her to the Kerti Praja Foundation on Sesetan area.
I make a pact to meet her at one of the super market within a hundred yards of the location. She had to walk to meet me and I instantly use a motorbike with her heading to Kerti Praja Foundation for CD4 testing. Her CD4 result is 104 and it’s time for the antiretroviral therapy (ARV). The next day, we promised again to perform liver function tests (SGOT – SGPT). For the preparation of pre- ARV, the next day we make a pact again elsewhere because she still afraid of being seen by her friends or pimp.
After eight weeks of taking ARV, Bunga was aware that there must be a person who should be trusted to disclose their status and provide support to her. For the support and advice that I give, Bunga dare open that her HIV positive status to her pimp. Her pimp would appreciate and accept the Bunga’s status; one of it does not allow Bunga to work until late at night, telling her a lot of rest and remind Bunga to not serve guests who do not want to use condoms.
Now Bunga are comfortable to access health care, taking ARVs alone without the need to transfer me again. Unlike the first who had to wear for all sorts of reasons that could go out of the location. The changes do not require a short time, less than about one to three years of her confident and bold disclose that she was HIV positive. “Just now I realize and could feel the sincerity to help the beneficiary to be independent and not depend on me again”, said Umi.
By Dony Fauzan