Najmah's project title is 'Stigmatized Women and Children Living with HIV in the Muslim Community Indonesia: A Feminist Participatory Action Research in South Sumatra, Indonesia'. HIV-related stigma is defined as negative beliefs, feelings and attitudes towards people living with HIV and their families; people who work with HIV service providers; members of high-risk groups (IDUs, female sex workers, men having sex with men); and married women with HIV. Stigma can be interpreted as shame or malu in the Indonesian context. Mothers living with HIV expressed stigma as meaning bullying (Palembang language literally ngatoi), insulting (menghina), isolating (mengucilkan), and being fearful (takut). During the COVID-19 pandemic, the stigma attached to HIV extended to personal and community judgment related to COVID-19. Therefore, stigma and discrimination due to HIV and COVID-19 blend among women living with HIV, pregnant women from low-middle-income families and women with COVID-19. Sadly, normalization of HIV-related stigma in society and health services is rampant.
In countries such as Indonesia, there is a notable correlation between higher HIV prevalence in specific populations and the transmission of HIV to lower-risk groups, including women and children. Women and children living with HIV face a double burden: the health consequences of the virus and the stigma associated with it, which can make it even harder for them to access treatment. In many Muslim-majority countries, HIV is often seen as a Western disease or a punishment for immoral behaviour, leading to stigma and discrimination. This perspective can hinder an effective response to HIV and exacerbate the challenges faced by those affected. This stigma is deeply rooted in society and health services, contributing to institutionalized discrimination against people living with HIV.
Drawing on her research experience in South Sumatra with Malay and Muslim cultures, Najmah aims to explore the complex layers of stigma faced by women in the Muslim community and the various forms of resilience they exhibit in response to this stigmatization and discrimination. In addition, she intends to analyze the risks of marital deception and HIV vulnerability among married women in Indonesia. Her ultimate goal is to write book chapters and manuscripts that provide a comprehensive understanding of the stigmatization and resilience of women and children living with HIV in South Sumatra. Through her work, she hopes to contribute to more effective interventions and support strategies within the community.
Najmah
Najmah, a distinguished Associate Professor with a PhD in Public Health, specializes in Epidemiology at Sriwijaya University in South Sumatra, Indonesia. Her extensive research focuses on critical maternal and child health and social epidemiology, including HIV/AIDS, maternal and child health, stunting, and community-based interventions. She has held significant roles, including a postdoctoral fellowship at Leiden University and an Adjunct Research Fellow position at Monash University.
Najmah's work is recognized through numerous awards for her innovative approaches, such as developing mobile counseling for COVID-19 awareness and interactive websites for stunting prevention. She has secured substantial funding for various research projects, addressing topics ranging from the sociocultural dimensions of maternity care to reducing stigma around COVID-19 and HIV testing in 2020 through an Australian Grant from Alumni in Indonesia, as well as the social cultural dimensions of maternity care through the Experiences through discovery project, Australia, 2025. These two grants involved collaborations with Monash University and the University of Queensland, Australia, respectively.
Her prolific publication record includes several books and numerous journal articles in prestigious international journals, covering topics such as equitable collaborations in public health research, challenges of HIV disclosure, and health worker vulnerability during the pandemic. Najmah is also a frequent presenter at international conferences and has been featured on international podcasts discussing public health in Indonesia. In Indonesia, she is proficient in various statistical and qualitative data analysis software, including SPSS, Stata, and NVIVO.
Najmah and her team are conducting a critical analysis of the public health and environmental impacts of coal mining and power plants in Lahat Regency, South Sumatra, by centring the experiences and voices of local women. The mixed-methods study integrates geospatial risk mapping, an epidemiological survey of 220 families, and Feminist Participatory Action Research to connect environmental data with lived health realities, including risk of HIV. Ultimately, the research aims to produce evidence-based policy recommendations and empower the community to advocate for sustainable environmental and health solutions.