PERAN KELOMPOK DUKUNGAN SEBAYA DALAM LITERASI KESEHATAN KEPADA ORANG DENGAN HIV/AIDS DI KOTA MALANG

This study aims to determine the role of Peer Support Groups in providing health literacy to PLWHA. The research method used a qualitative approach with a case study design. Then, the author used purposive sampling to select research subjects. The research findings indicate that the challenges faced by PLHIV include delayed HIV detection, stress, self-isolation, stigma, discrimination, loss of PLHIV rights, paranoia, the emergence of opportunistic infections, AIDS-related wasting, hopelessness, rapid death, and the ease of transmitting HIV to others who lack understanding about the virus. The factors contributing to the lack of health literacy among PLHIV include a lack of basic information about HIV/AIDS, insufficient literacy regarding self-care, and The factors contributing to the lack of health literacy among PLHIV include insufficient basic information about HIV/AIDS, inadequate literacy regarding self-care, and misinformation that leads PLHIV to believe in societal myths, such as viewing HIV as a disgusting disease, an incurable disease, or a disease of immoral people. Given the challenges faced by PLHIV, the role of KDS as health educators involves providing health literacy through the following approaches: (1) providing basic information about HIV/AIDS, (2) providing literacy about access to services, (3) providing literacy about life expectancy, (4) literacy in dealing with stigma and discrimination, (5) literacy about self-care, (6) providing literacy about the rights of PLHIV, and (7) mentoring