Belachew A, Seyoum E; International Conference on AIDS.

Int Conf AIDS. 2000 Jul 9-14; 13: abstract no. TuPeE3883.

A. Belachew, The Futures Group International, P.O. Box 101760, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Tel.: +251 1 502 973, Fax: +251 1 502 973, E-mail: Ayele40@hotmail.com

Issue: Despite the strong reliance and trust that Ethiopians have on their religious leaders, a decade has slipped away without making full use of them in the HIV/AIDS control efforts of the nation. Qualitative analysis of the omost frequently asked HIV/AIDS and related questions by religious leaderso can be used to design and update appropriate training and advocacy materials. Description: In a country like Ethiopia, where leaders of faith-based institutions are respected and trusted, their contribution should come in the front line of the overall AIDS control effort. A multi-site HIV/AIDS training program was organized for leaders of the four major religions in the country (Orthodox Christian, Protestants, Catholic and Islam), including presentations and discussions on HIV/AIDS status and epidemiology, prevention activities, and counseling, care and support issues. The study reported here was aimed at investigating the "most frequently asked questions" by religious leaders that contributed to their previously restricted involvement in the anti-AIDS interventions. Questions raised included condom issues, mandatory testing for marriage, and options for AIDS education including appropriate sites and target groups. Appropriate responses to these and other frequently asked questions were formulated in consultation with AIDS professionals and church leaders. These responses were then incorporated in revised training and counseling materials and programs. Conclusion: Properly attending to the hidden questions that religious leaders ask is a crucial step in the process of involving them in the front line of HIV/AIDS policy discussions and program interventions. Following the revised training sessions most of the leaders were found to initiate anti-AIDS programs at various levels in their institutions and became active supporters of expanded HIV/AIDS prevention, counseling, care and support activities in their communities.

Publication Types:

• Meeting Abstracts

Keywords:

• Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
• Communication
• Condoms
• Counseling
• Ethiopia
• HIV Infections
• HIV Seropositivity
• Health Education
• Religion
• Research
• education
• organization & administration

Other ID:

• GWAIDS0002495

UI: 102239989

From Meeting Abstracts