Unpad Doctors Expose Hidden Crisis: Sexual Abuse Fuels HIV and Syphilis Risk Among Indonesian Teens
A shocking case from Bandung reveals the silent epidemic facing Indonesian adolescents: sexual abuse leading to life-threatening infections like HIV and syphilis. Researchers from Universitas Padjadjaran’s Faculty of Medicine, led by Dr. Pati Aji Achdiat and colleagues at Dr. Hasan Sadikin Hospital, documented the case of a 15-year-old boy who contracted both infections after repeated forced sexual encounters. The case not only highlights a public health emergency but also sheds light on the psychological trauma often left untreated in survivors.
Doctors confirmed that the boy, who identified as bisexual, developed secondary syphilis and HIV after three episodes of sexual abuse by an older acquaintance. He was treated with antiretroviral therapy for HIV and penicillin for syphilis, while also referred for psychiatric care due to moderate depression and self-harming behaviors. “This case underscores how sexual abuse directly translates into lifelong medical and mental health burdens,” explained Dr. Achdiat.
The case study highlights urgent gaps in adolescent protection and sexual health awareness. It calls for stronger education on safe practices, wider availability of condoms, and more effective legal protections for vulnerable youth. The World Health Organization has already warned of a global decline in condom use among teenagers, further heightening the risks. For Indonesia, where stigma still prevents open discussions of sexuality, the findings emphasize the need for confidential counseling and adolescent-friendly health services.
By linking sexual violence, stigma, and health outcomes, this research contributes to SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being and SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions. Universitas Padjadjaran demonstrates global leadership by uncovering taboo yet urgent health challenges. Cases like this remind us that achieving healthier societies requires not just medicine, but protection, justice, and compassion.
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