ABSTRACT
Indonesia has a human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) prevalence of 0.4" and approximately 610,000 people living with HIV (PLHIV). Indonesia's HIV epidemic is growing rapidly and initially was largely driven by injecting drug use, with the exception of West Papua. This chapter presents the findings of ethnographic research conducted with PLHIV in West Java, Indonesia that explicitly explored their responses to a positive diagnosis and the significance of those responses for individuals' sexual and reproductive lives and relationships. Contact with PLHIV or Orang dengan HIV/AIDS (Odah) was facilitated by Yayasan Pelita Ilmu (YPI) a non-governmental organisation (NGO) that runs an HIV prevention program, as well as Pantura Plus, a support group for Odha. The chapter explores the complex dynamics of spousal relationships among HIV-discordant and HIV-concordant couples, particularly in terms of negotiating the risks of transmitting HIV. In a society where HIV is highly stigmatised, silence and secrecy are common strategies for Odha to cope with rejection and discrimination.
