Jakarta – New data from Indonesia’s Ministry of Health highlights ongoing disparities in HIV infection rates across key populations, even as national testing and treatment initiatives show promising trends. The findings, compiled through 2025, pinpoint individuals in heterosexual partnerships with an HIV-positive partner, clients of sex workers, and children living with HIV as groups facing disproportionately higher risks. Officials emphasize the importance of targeted prevention and early detection efforts to effectively address the continued spread of the virus within these vulnerable communities.
Jakarta – Indonesian health officials have identified three key populations exhibiting the highest rates of HIV positivity, according to recent data released by the Ministry of Health. Understanding these trends is crucial for tailoring effective prevention and treatment strategies to curb the spread of the virus.
The data, collected through 2025, shows that individuals in heterosexual partnerships where one or both partners have HIV, clients of sex workers, and children living with HIV continue to be disproportionately affected. These groups represent a significant portion of new HIV diagnoses in the country.
Of the 9,709 tests conducted among individuals in partnerships with someone living with HIV, 3,339 returned positive results – approximately 34%. Testing among clients of sex workers revealed a 20% positivity rate, with 4,471 positive cases identified from 22,454 tests. Among children living with HIV, 17% of tests were positive, representing 728 positive cases out of 4,254 tests.
Dr. Prima Yosephine, Director of Immunization at the Ministry of Health, noted that while the absolute number of new cases continues to rise annually, the percentage of positive tests is trending downward. This is likely due to increased testing and treatment access across the population.
“These groups with high positivity rates need to be encouraged to undergo routine testing so that transmission can be prevented early on,” Dr. Yosephine stated on Tuesday, November 25th, in South Jakarta.
