Improving adolescents' HIV/AIDS prevention behavior: A phenomenological study of the experience of planning generation program (GenRe) ambassadors as peer educators

Diah Ratnawati; Agus Setiawan; Junaiti Sahar; Widyatuti; Astuti Yuni Nursasi; Tatiana Siregar

doi:10.33546/bnj.2883

Improving adolescents' HIV/AIDS prevention behavior: A phenomenological study of the experience of planning generation program (GenRe) ambassadors as peer educators

Belitung Nurs J. 2024 Feb 28;10(1):56-66. doi: 10.33546/bnj.2883. eCollection 2024.

Authors

Diah Ratnawati^{1

2}, Agus Setiawan³, Junaiti Sahar³, Widyatuti³, Astuti Yuni Nursasi³, Tatiana Siregar²

Affiliations

¹ Postgraduate Program, Faculty of Nursing, Universitas Indonesia, 16424 Depok, Indonesia.
² Department of Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universitas Pembangunan Nasional Veteran Jakarta, 12450 Jakarta, Indonesia.
³ Department of Community Health Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Universitas Indonesia, 16424 Depok, Indonesia.

Abstract

Background: Adolescents face increased vulnerability to HIV/AIDS due to factors such as insufficient knowledge and awareness, stigma, and restricted access to information. The Indonesian government initiated a peer education program through the Planning Generation Program (GenRe) ambassadors. These ambassadors are tasked with educating their peers about HIV/AIDS. However, their experiences are largely underexplored.

Objective: This study aimed to explore the GenRe ambassadors' experience in improving adolescents' HIV/AIDS prevention behavior.

Methods: This study employed a qualitative phenomenological approach, with in-depth and semi-structured interviews of GenRe ambassadors who had served for at least three to six months within the South Jakarta Health Sub-Department, Indonesia. Purposive sampling and data saturation techniques were utilized. Data were collected from 13 May to 31 August 2022, and Colaizzi's steps were used to guide the data analysis.

Results: Nineteen GenRe ambassadors participated, predominantly female university students ages 18-22. Six themes were developed: 1) the impact of GenRe ambassadors' roles in improving HIV/AIDS prevention behavior, 2) activities to improve HIV/AIDS prevention behavior, 3) enhancement of self-concept as GenRe ambassadors, 4) obstacles to activities for improving HIV/AIDS prevention behavior, 5) support for activities to improve HIV/AIDS prevention behavior, and 6) hope for improving the GenRe ambassador program's implementation.

Conclusion: GenRe ambassadors are influencers who play a critical role in promoting HIV/AIDS prevention behaviors and fostering positive change in the broader youth community. Despite their positive self-concept, they encounter challenges in fulfilling their roles. Utilizing their insights, community health nurses can create effective peer-led HIV/AIDS prevention programs and contribute to a model of health promotion for adolescents. Leveraging the role of GenRe ambassadors as peer educators is recommended to enhance HIV/AIDS prevention efforts among adolescents.

Keywords: GenRe ambassadors; HIV/AIDS; Indonesia; adolescents; community health nurses; health promotion; peer education; students.

Grants and funding

Funding This study was funded by the Indonesian Education Scholarship (BPI) for the Postgraduate Program, provided by the Center for Education Financial Services of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology of the Republic of Indonesia in collaboration with the Educational Fund Management Institution (LPDP) of the Ministry of Finance. The recipient: Diah Ratnawati.