The Experiences of Women from Atoin Meto Tribe who Performed Sifon Ritual in the Context of HIV/AIDS Transmission

BACKGROUND: Sifon is a sexual intercourse ritual after male circumcision from the Atoin Meto tribe that contributed to HIV/AIDS transmission. Ritual Sifon may put at risk for HIV infection and also the sexual transmisson diseases. Doing ritual Sifon as a culture, without using protection during intercourse becomes one way to get HIV infection from infected men. Few study explore this phenomenon among women who becomes Sifon women. Therefore, the aim of this study is to explore the experience of Sifon women in the context of HIV/AIDS transmission. DESIGN AND METHODS: The data was collected from March 2020 to July 2020. This study used a phenomenological approach with a purposive sampling technique. Inclusion criteria: the women from Atoin Meto tribe aged above eighteen years old who have been Sifon women for at least six months. The participants were recruited through traditional healers in Nekbaun village of Kupang District and Timor Tengah Selatan District. The data was analysed by Collaizi method. RESULTS: Thirteen women were interviewed and we found four themes: lack of knowledge about HIV/AIDS transmission, unaware became Sifon women, women experienced of STDs, using traditional medicine to treat STDs (Timor medicine). CONCLUSIONS: The interpretation of Sifonwomen's experiences that performed Sifon rituals indicated that Sifon is a risk factor for transmitting HIV/AIDS. Preventive and promotional educational programs with cultural approach are needed to reduce the risk of HIV/AIDS transmission.