THE USE OF INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION BY COUNSELORS IN GAY AND MSM (Men who have Sex with Men) COMMUNITIES AT THE BANDUNG ABIASA ASSOCIATION

Cases of AIDS are a lot found in the gay. This is why many people call it the term gay compromise syndrome. There are also those who call it GRID (Gay-Related Immune Deficiency) or AID (Acquired Immunodeficiency Disease). Some even call it gay cancer. In the case of HIV / AIDS sufferers in Indonesia, there has been a significant increase from year to year. And the causes of this virus spread are the use of needle syringes alternately, blood transfusions, sexual relations, both between men and women, as well as same-sex or homosexual relationships. To help the sufferers, the Abiasa Association has voluntary conducted HIV Counseling and Testing (HCT) program. In the counceling process, the association has used interpersonal communication which has three levels. Each level is related to a number of "self" presented in an interpersonal situation, namely our view of ourselves, our view of others, and our view of others' views about us. This study aims to understand the use of effective interpersonal communication between Abiasa counselors and PLHA relating to HIV treatment. On the basis of the approach taken by the counselor, the study showes that the clients trust the counselor, feel the closeness with the counselor, and like the counselor because of having the closeness in Interpersonal Communication.