The Influence Of Family Support On The Social Functioning Of People With HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) At The Caritas Pse Medan Singgah House

Feb 28, 2025 by ADMIN 129 views

The Influence of Family Support on the Social Functioning of People with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) at the Caritas PSE Medan Singgah House

Introduction

HIV/AIDS, a disease that not only attacks physically, but also triggers stigma and discrimination in the community. People with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) often face double challenges: a weakened disease and social exclusion. In the midst of this difficulty, family support is an important foundation for the recovery and social function of PLWHA.

The Importance of Family Support for PLWHA

Research has shown that family support plays a crucial role in the recovery and social functioning of PLWHA. A study conducted at the PSE Medan Caritas Shelter, an organization that is concerned with the issue of HIV/AIDS and Narcotics, revealed a positive correlation between family support and the social functioning of PLWHA. Caritas PSE Medan runs various programs, such as education about transmission and prevention of HIV/AIDS, as well as providing information about ARV (Anti-Retroviral) treatment, both with direct visits to hospitals and to PLWHA homes and their families.

The Role of Family Support in Social Functioning

Through data analysis using the Spearman Rank correlation coefficient, a significant correlation was found between family support (X) and the social functioning of PLWHA (Y). With n = 50, the correlation value reaches 0.67, which shows a strong positive relationship. That is, the higher the family support received by PLWHA, the better their social functioning.

The Impact of Family Support on PLWHA

This research emphasizes the importance of the role of the family in the recovery and reintegration of PLWHA. Family support can provide a sense of security, reduce stigma, and increase motivation in undergoing treatment. However, this research also highlighted that there are still many families who do not understand HIV/AIDS well, which has the potential to hamper the support needed by PLWHA.

The Need for Education and Socialization

Therefore, more massive educational and socialization efforts are needed to increase understanding of HIV/AIDS in the community, especially among the families. The program run by Caritas PSE Medan is the right step in helping PLWHA and their families to overcome the challenges of HIV/AIDS. With strong family support, PLWHA can more easily live a better life, and re-integrated with their social environment.

The Benefits of Family Support for PLWHA

Family support can have a significant impact on the social functioning of PLWHA. By providing a sense of security, reducing stigma, and increasing motivation, family support can help PLWHA to overcome the challenges of HIV/AIDS. In addition, family support can also help PLWHA to access healthcare services, adhere to treatment, and maintain a healthy lifestyle.

The Challenges of Family Support for PLWHA

However, family support for PLWHA is not without challenges. Many families may not understand HIV/AIDS well, which can lead to stigma and discrimination. In addition, family support may also be affected by factors such as poverty, lack of education, and social isolation.

Conclusion

In conclusion, family support plays a crucial role in the recovery and social functioning of PLWHA. The research conducted at the PSE Medan Caritas Shelter highlights the importance of family support in overcoming the challenges of HIV/AIDS. Therefore, more massive educational and socialization efforts are needed to increase understanding of HIV/AIDS in the community, especially among the families.

Recommendations

Based on the findings of this research, the following recommendations are made:

More massive educational and socialization efforts are needed to increase understanding of HIV/AIDS in the community, especially among the families.
The program run by Caritas PSE Medan should be continued and expanded to reach more PLWHA and their families.
Family support should be integrated into the healthcare services provided to PLWHA, to ensure that they receive the support they need to overcome the challenges of HIV/AIDS.

Limitations of the Study

This study has several limitations. Firstly, the sample size was relatively small, which may limit the generalizability of the findings. Secondly, the study only focused on the role of family support in the social functioning of PLWHA, and did not explore other factors that may also be important.

Future Research Directions

Future research should aim to explore the role of family support in the recovery and social functioning of PLWHA in more depth. This may involve conducting larger-scale studies, exploring the impact of family support on other outcomes such as mental health and quality of life, and examining the factors that influence family support for PLWHA.

References

Caritas PSE Medan. (2020). Annual Report.
World Health Organization. (2020). HIV/AIDS.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2020). HIV/AIDS.

Appendix

The following appendix provides additional information on the research methodology and results.

Research Methodology

This study used a quantitative approach to examine the relationship between family support and the social functioning of PLWHA. The data was collected through a survey of 50 PLWHA who were receiving treatment at the PSE Medan Caritas Shelter. The survey included questions on family support, social functioning, and demographic characteristics.

Results

The results of the study are presented in the following table.

Variable	Mean	Standard Deviation
Family Support	3.5	1.2
Social Functioning	4.2	1.1

The correlation between family support and social functioning was found to be significant (r = 0.67, p < 0.01). This suggests that there is a strong positive relationship between family support and social functioning.

Discussion

The findings of this study suggest that family support plays a crucial role in the social functioning of PLWHA. The study highlights the importance of family support in overcoming the challenges of HIV/AIDS, and emphasizes the need for more massive educational and socialization efforts to increase understanding of HIV/AIDS in the community, especially among the families.

Conclusion

In conclusion, this study provides evidence of the importance of family support in the social functioning of PLWHA. The findings of this study have implications for the development of interventions to support PLWHA and their families, and highlight the need for more research in this area.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the Influence of Family Support on the Social Functioning of People with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) at the Caritas PSE Medan Singgah House

Q: What is the significance of family support for PLWHA?

A: Family support is crucial for PLWHA as it provides a sense of security, reduces stigma, and increases motivation in undergoing treatment. It also helps PLWHA to access healthcare services, adhere to treatment, and maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Q: What are the benefits of family support for PLWHA?

A: Family support can have a significant impact on the social functioning of PLWHA. It can help PLWHA to overcome the challenges of HIV/AIDS, access healthcare services, adhere to treatment, and maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Q: What are the challenges of family support for PLWHA?

A: Many families may not understand HIV/AIDS well, which can lead to stigma and discrimination. In addition, family support may also be affected by factors such as poverty, lack of education, and social isolation.

Q: How can family support be integrated into the healthcare services provided to PLWHA?

A: Family support can be integrated into the healthcare services provided to PLWHA by providing counseling and support to families, educating them about HIV/AIDS, and involving them in the treatment and care of PLWHA.

Q: What are the implications of this study for the development of interventions to support PLWHA and their families?

A: The findings of this study highlight the importance of family support in overcoming the challenges of HIV/AIDS. It emphasizes the need for more massive educational and socialization efforts to increase understanding of HIV/AIDS in the community, especially among the families.

Q: What are the limitations of this study?

A: This study has several limitations. Firstly, the sample size was relatively small, which may limit the generalizability of the findings. Secondly, the study only focused on the role of family support in the social functioning of PLWHA, and did not explore other factors that may also be important.

Q: What are the future research directions?

A: Future research should aim to explore the role of family support in the recovery and social functioning of PLWHA in more depth. This may involve conducting larger-scale studies, exploring the impact of family support on other outcomes such as mental health and quality of life, and examining the factors that influence family support for PLWHA.

Q: What are the recommendations for policymakers and healthcare providers?

A: Policymakers and healthcare providers should prioritize the development of interventions that support PLWHA and their families. This may involve providing education and counseling to families, involving them in the treatment and care of PLWHA, and providing access to healthcare services and support.

Q: What are the implications of this study for the community?

Q: What are the next steps for this research?

A: The next steps for this research involve conducting larger-scale studies, exploring the impact of family support on other outcomes such as mental health and quality of life, and examining the factors that influence family support for PLWHA.

Q: What are the potential applications of this research?

A: The findings of this study have implications for the development of interventions to support PLWHA and their families. It can be used to inform the development of policies and programs that support PLWHA and their families.

Q: What are the potential benefits of this research?

A: The findings of this study have the potential to improve the lives of PLWHA and their families. It can help to reduce stigma and discrimination, improve access to healthcare services, and increase motivation in undergoing treatment.

Q: What are the potential limitations of this research?