A Study of Perceptions and Social Stigma towards HIV Patients in Educational Environments and Marginalized Population Groups: A Comparative SynthesisTowards AIDS Elimination by 2030

Abstract

Stigma associatedHuman Immunodeficiency VirusHIV is the most significant non-clinical barrier threatening the achievement of the global AIDS elimination target in Indonesia. This study aims to synthesize the current literature (2020–2025) to compare the determinants, manifestations, and impacts of stigma in two key settings: the Educational Environment (students and university students) and Marginalized Groups (Key Populations). The study uses a meta-synthesis approach to summarize qualitative and quantitative findings from various research results. The synthesis results show that stigma in the Educational Environment is dominated by misinformation and fear of transmission through casual contact (fear of transmission) among vulnerable young people, which manifests asperceived stigma(fear of discrimination). In contrast, the stigma against Marginalized Groups is intersectional, exacerbated by society's moral judgments (labeling them as "immoral" or "sinners"), which results inenacted discriminationSevere (manifested discrimination) in the health, employment, and social services sectors. While increasing knowledge has proven effective in educational settings, marginalized groups require legal intervention and strong community support to overcome structural barriers. Collective, cross-sectoral action that addresses the moralistic and structural roots of stigma is needed to achieve the "Zero Stigma" target and end the AIDS epidemic in Indonesia by 2030