Track: Case Studies

Abstract

Research on the role of religious leaders in HIV / AIDS prevention and control has not been widely carried out in Indonesia. This study aims to map the role of religious leaders in the prevention and control of HIV / AIDS in Malang as the city with the second highest number of HIV / AIDS sufferers in East Java. This study showed that religious leaders have not had any concrete efforts to prevent and control HIV / AIDS among their followers nor having deep knowledge about HIV/AIDS itself. However, these religious leaders always remind their followers to stay away from free sex (adultery) in order to avoid sin and ugliness in the world, which can actually be used as part of efforts to prevent the spread of HIV / AIDS in society. Through spirituality cultivation, religious leaders can function as the first bastion in preventing HIV / AIDS. Religion can also be used as a means of overcoming the stigma experienced by PLWHA through teaching people to return to religious teachings (repent). Unfortunately, this effort was not seen by the government or related parties so that these religious leaders were not directly involved in HIV / AIDS prevention and control in Malang City even though they were willing to be involved by the government to do so.