Tuesday, January 9, 2024, the Faculty of Public Health (FPH) Universitas Indonesia (UI) held an open session for the Promotion of Doctor of Public Health Sciences (IKM) with the promotion of Fenita Purnama Sari Indah with a defended dissertation entitled “Increasing Knowledge, Attitudes and Adherence to Taking ARVs in PLHIV (People with HIV) by providing education through the OMA m-Health application (PLHIV taking ARVs).”
In 2022, The Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) states that there will be 1.3 million new infections and a total of 39 million PLHIV (people with HIV) and 630 thousand cases of deaths due to AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome) globally. In the Southeast Asia region, Indonesia has the most HIV sufferers with data from the Ministry of Health (Kemenkes) of the Republic of Indonesia (RI) stating the estimate is 515,455 people; 438,231 (85%) are still alive and know their status, 184,890 (42%) are receiving ARV treatment, and 58,995 in viral load tests until March 2023 are in suppressed viral condition.
Fenita’s research discusses the problem of not yet achieving PLHIV in knowing their status and currently receiving ARV treatment (42%). Non-compliance in taking ARV medication is a problem that occurs among PLHIV. Research by Sitorus, 2022 states that non-compliance is sometimes caused by one or more of several psychosocial factors, neurocognitive disorders, low knowledge about health, low social support, excessive alcohol consumption, active drug use, homelessness, poverty, keeping HIV status secret, rejection, and stigma. Thus, the need to have support is a way to increase PLHIV’s motivation to consume ARVs (Antiretrovirals).
m-Health is a mobile phone technology application that is useful for increasing compliance in taking antiretrovirals, which has been carried out by several researchers. However, most m-Health use is still limited to the use of SMS (Short Message Service) reminders and chat-based applications, such as Wechat.
Fenita conducted research to obtain a digital application model which was developed based on the results of an analysis of the determinants of adherence to taking ARVs among PLHIV to increase knowledge, attitudes of PLHIV regarding HIV/AIDS and ARVs, as well as adherence to taking ARVs. The new indicators outlined in the application are called m-Health OMA (PLHIV Consuming ARVs), containing education about HIV/AIDS and ARVs in the form of myth/fact features, books, posters, comics, audio-visual media, medicine boxes, reminder alarms. taking medication and providing notifications that appear automatically on respondents’ mobile phone notifications in the form of rhymes and other encouraging sentences. The benefits resulting from the development of this application model will be offered and become policy improvements by the Indonesian Ministry of Health as well as for improvement efforts within the community. The OMA m-Health application, which is digital education, has also been registered with Intellectual Property Rights (HKI), with registration number: a. Application (application number): EC002023136901; b. Video tutorial for using the application: EC002023136898.
The research conducted by Fenita is analytical operational research research which consists of 5 (five) stages with mixed methods, namely determinant factors for adherence to ARV consumption in PLHIV, preparation of content and design of m-Health OMA, development of content and design of m-Health OMA, testing OMA m-Health content and design, and evaluating OMA m-Health application models. Fenita’s research results found that the determinants most related to adherence to taking ARVs among PLHIV were economic status (also related to transportation costs), knowledge about HIV/AIDS and ARVs, and stress. The OMA m-Health content and design trials carried out by assessing the user experience of the OMA m-Health application showed excellent or very good results in the aspects of attractiveness, clarity, efficiency, accuracy, stimulation, and novelty. m-Health OMA has also been proven to be able to increase knowledge, attitudes, and compliance with taking ARVs in the results of evaluations and giving leaflets to PLHIV.
The role of health workers, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), and peer support groups in increasing education or counseling about ARV treatment in a complete and skilled manner as well as the regular development of m-Health OMA by adding content and updating the appearance (design) is a collaborative value of various interventions from volunteers or social counselling. A deeper study of the determinants of multi-month drug administration and single dose as a program offered to PLHIV is currently a study that can be carried out in further research.
“In research and community service departments, a strong roadmap is needed so that this can be continued. The research results provided can be continued downstream so that they can be integrated and used generally later. With Fenita’s abilities in this matter, we as part of the Biostatistics Department plan for Fenita to join the team with advanced research and community service programs. “On behalf of the promoter and co-promoter team, we are delighted with your success in achieving your doctorate,” said Dr. Drs. Tris Eryando, M.A., as promoter.
At the end of the session, the Chair of the Session delivered the decision that Fenita Purnama Sari Indah, who was born on June 12, 1991, in Bandar Lampung, was declared a graduate and succeeded in obtaining a Doctorate degree in Public Health Sciences (IKM) as the 6th IKM doctoral graduate in 2024, a doctoral graduate. 302nd IKM, and 388th PhD graduate at FPH UI and achieved cum laude predicate with a GPA of 3.85.
The session was chaired by Prof. Dr. Mondastri Korib Sudaryo, M.S., D.Sc., as chairman of the session and promoter Dr. Drs. Tris Eryando, M.A., and co-promoter Prof. Dr. Kemal Nazaruddin Siregar, S.K.M., M.A., Ph.D. and Dr. Ir. Lely Wahyuniar, M.Sc. The examining team in the trial was Prof. Dr. Meiwita P. Budiharsana, M.P.A., Ph.D.; Prof. Dr. Besral, S.K.M., M.Sc.; Prof. Dr. Zubairi Djoerban, Sp.PD-KHOM., FINASIM; Dr. Dr. Trihono, M.Sc.; Dr. Dr. Muchlis Achsan Udji Sofro, SpPD, K-PTI, M.K.M. (ITM)