A response to edzi (AIDS): Malawi faith-based organizations' impact on hiv prevention and care

Teri Lindgren, Ellen Schell, Sally Rankin, Joel Phiri, Rachel Fiedler, Joseph Chakanza

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

12 Scopus citations

Abstract

African faith-based organization (FBO) leaders influence their members' HIV knowledge, beliefs, and practices, but their roles in HIV prevention and care are poorly understood. This article expands the work of Garner (2000) to test the impact of FBO influence on member risk and care behaviors, embedding it in the Theory of Planned Behavior. Qualitative interviews and quantitative surveys were collected from five FBOs (Christian and Muslim) in Malawi and analyzed using mixed methods. Contrary to Garner, we found that the level of power and influence of the FBO had no significant impact on the risk-taking behaviors of members; however, leaders' HIV knowledge predicted members' behaviors. Stigmatizing attitudes of leaders significantly decreased members' care behaviors, but FBO hierarchy tended to increase members' care behaviors. The power of local church and mosque leaders to influence behavior could be exploited more effectively by nurses by providing support, knowledge, and encouragement to churches and mosques.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)227-241
Number of pages15
JournalJournal of the Association of Nurses in AIDS Care
Volume24
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - May 2013

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Advanced and Specialized Nursing

Keywords

  • Africa
  • Care
  • HIV
  • Prevention
  • Religious organizations

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