Population mobility and HIV/AIDS in Indonesia
The document provides a review of the literature relating to HIV/AIDS and mobility, and than reviews the contemporary pattern of population mobility within Indonesia. It finds high levels of mobility within Indonesia. The author explores the potential linkages between different forms of internal migration and internal displacement and the spread of HIV/AIDS.
The next sections of the report explore external migration from Indonesia and possible increased risk of infection. It states that very little is known about HIV infection to overseas workers. The author goes on to explore commercial sex work (CSW). He states that the connection between migrant workers and the sex industry is of crucial importance in the spread of HIV/AIDS. The Indonesian data show high HIV prevalence rates among some groups of CSWs, and in a context where much less than a half of clients of CSWs are using condoms, the potential for transmission of the disease is considerable. The point is made that most of Indonesia’s CSWs work in areas some considerable distance from their home communities. It is argued that this has important policy implications because it means that policy interventions such as concentrated information programs and condom distribution activity can be focused into certain areas. This can maximise the impact of these interventions and not dilute them by spreading them into areas where there is little risk behaviour. The paper also identifies and describes a number of target populations who either already are recording above average levels of HIV infection or have the potential to do so.
The author ends with recommendations for extensive further research on the relationships between mobility and HIV/AIDS, recommendations for behavioural sentinel surveillance and possible prevention and intervention strategies.
