Factors Influencing Black Churches’ Readiness to Address HIV

Abstract

This study employed a community-based participatory research approach to understand factors that influence church readiness to engage in HIV prevention and treatment activities. A convenience sample of twenty-six Black faith leaders participated in four focus groups. Data analysis was done through qualitative content analysis. Three themes emerged. First, the pastor's blessing and authority as the church's decision-maker determines readiness to engage in HIV prevention. Second, the church's purview of sexual health as part of a holistic ministry facilitates faith leader's readiness. Lastly, securing financial and human resources makes it feasible for faith leaders to implement activities. Findings suggest HIV-related stigma alone does not explain readiness to address HIV. Participants also discussed activities their churches are equipped to handle, including HIV testing events and health fairs.

An Exploration of U.S. Southern Faith Leaders’ Perspectives of HIV Prevention, Sexuality, and Sexual Health Teachings

“…Prior research has shown that when stigma around their sexuality is present in churches, Black gay and bisexual men might suffer from social isolation and an unwillingness to seek guidance from their church leadership [ 14 ]. Stigma around sexuality has also been known to ignite fears of losing congregants among some pastors [ 12 , 34 ]. A church case study in the Midwest, assessing barriers that clergy experienced in starting and sustaining an HIV ministry, found that the primary barrier was views regarding sexuality [ 40 ].…”

“…The robust literature demonstrates churches are providing congregations and their surrounding community access to HIV education, prevention, and testing, which often is informed by biblical principles [ 9 , 10 ]. There are a number of factors facilitating readiness to address HIV, including having the blessing and support of the church leadership, purview on sexual health, and resources to implement prevention [ 11 , 12 ]. Yet a notably, well-documented social challenge remains—stigma—which disrupts people living with HIV from accessing care and serves as a threat to public health [ 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 ].…”

Promoting Health from the Pulpit: A Process Evaluation of HIV Sermons to Reduce HIV Stigma and Promote Testing in African American and Latino Churches

“…In recent years, there have been a growing number of faith-based HIV interventions, nearly all in AA churches (Abara, Coleman, Fairchild, Gaddist, & White, 2015; Berkley-Patton et al, 2010; Berkley-Patton et al, 2016; Francis & Liverpool, 2009; Griffith, Campbell, Allen, Robinson, & Stewart, 2010; Lindley, Coleman, Gaddist, & White, 2010; Wooster et al, 2011). Many barriers to HIV programs in faith-based settings exist, including HIV-related attitudes and stigma, low HIV knowledge, lack of experience with HIV programming, lack of lay leadership and congregant support, and financial barriers (Coleman, Lindley, Annang, Saunders, & Gaddist, 2012; Cunningham, Kerrigan, McNeely, & Ellen, 2011; Derose et al, 2014; Mendel et al, 2014; Pichon, Powell, Ogg, Williams, & Becton-Odum, 2016; Pryor, Gaddist, & Johnson-Arnold, 2015; Smith, Simmons, & Mayer, 2005; Williams, Pichon, Latkin, & Davey-Rothwell, 2014; Wooster et al, 2011). AA faith leaders have also expressed concerns about HIV prevention strategies (e.g., discussing condoms and sexual education) that may be viewed as conflicting with doctrine (Nunn et al, 2012).…”

African American Church Engagement in the HIV Care Continuum

“…Several studies have found barriers to and facilitators of implementing church-based HIV programs in racial/ethnic minority communities; however, the research questions for these studies were derived from congregant perspectives on HIV-related stigma, HIV prevention, or HIV screening promotion interventions (Berkley-Patton, Moore, et al, 2013; Berkley-Patton, Thompson, et al, 2013; Pichon & Powell, 2015; Pichon, Powell, Ogg, Williams, & Becton-Odum, 2016; Pryor, Gaddist, & Johnson-Arnold, 2015; Williams et al, 2016). These studies left many unanswered questions about church leader perspectives on the feasibility of a focus on HIV care in African American churches.…”