In the past few years, the number of people with HIV/AIDS has continued to increase. In Indonesia it is estimated the figure is 242,699. Currently, however, there is no special treatment to cure or eliminate the HIV virus. The only thing to do is by using antiretroviral (ARV) therapy to suppress the virus in the body. But still, there are challenges in using the ARV in terms of drug compliance behavior and healthy behavior as compliance is key to the success of the treatment.
Regarding the issue, a team of UGM students consisting of medical student Isma Syafira Pratama and psychology students Susnanda Virginia Yosian and Rahardian Rizal Akmal made an innovation to improve the compliance behaviour of ARV in people with HIV/AIDS. The program, ARVA-CEA, is a therapy method to improve the compliance that focuses on increasing three psychological aspects: acceptance, compassion, and self-efficacy.
“The three psychological aspects will increase compliance behavior of people with HIV/AIDS,” said Isma in a release sent to journalists on Thursday (11/7).
ARVA-CEA therapy module contains mindfulness therapy or improvement of self-awareness. “The module is used by practitioners and psychologists as a guide to give therapy to people with HIV/AIDS,” she said.
ARVA-CEA therapy is done in four sessions. In the first session of psychoeducation the people with HIV/AIDS are given mindfulness therapy and breathing practice. In the second session, they are taught on identifying awareness through meditation.
“The third session is about the awareness to love oneself, accept oneself and others through meditation of love,” she explained.
In the fourth session they are shown videos describing role models that already have high compliance in ARV treatment and succeed in living their life. “Afterwards, the participants are given compassionate ideal meditation. They are also assigned to practice meditation on their own and are monitored through a diary,” she added.
Isma said this innovation was in line with the government health program, Three Zeroes: zero new HIV infection, zero AIDS related death, and zero discrimination. The students hoped the ARVA-CEA program would help the government in HIV/AIDS eradication program in the country so the fatality due to HIV/AIDS may reduce.
Source: https://www.ugm.ac.id/en/news/18089-ugm-students-make-hiv-aids-therapy-module
