Impact of Empowering Adolescent Posyandu Cadre On HIV/AIDS Preventive Behavior In Kandang Health Center, Bengkulu City

Abstract

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) remain global health challenges, especially among adolescents. According to data from the Bengkulu City Health Office in 2023, the Kandang Community Health Center recorded the highest number of HIV/AIDS cases in the city. Adolescents are a vulnerable group who often receive insufficient education related to HIV/AIDS prevention. One of the strategic effort to prevent HIV/AIDS among adolescents health cadres (Posyandu Remaja). This study aims to determine the effect of empowering adolescent posyandu cadres on HIV/AIDS preventive behavior in the working area of the Kandang Community Health Center in Bengkulu City. This study used a quantitative method with a pre-experimental design and a one-group pretest-posttest approach. The population included adolescents involved in the adolescent posyandu groups in the Kandang Community Health Center area, with a total sample of 37 adolescents. The results showed an increase in the average scores of knowledge, attitudes, and actions of adolescents regarding HIV/AIDS prevention after the empowerment of posyandu cadres. Statistical tests indicated a significant difference between the pretest and posttest scores. It can be concluded that empowering adolescents health cadres in HIV/AIDS prevention behavior can be an effective method for delivering health information to adolescents.