HIV stigma in faith communities in South Africa: A cross-sectional study.

IF 1.1 4区 医学 Q4 PUBLIC, ENVIRONMENTAL & OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH
Ajar-African Journal of Aids Research Pub Date : 2025-09-01 Epub Date: 2025-08-26 DOI:10.2989/16085906.2025.2523295
Germari Kruger, Eduardus A J G van der Borght, Martha T Teijema, Sabine L van Elsland, Stella L E Münninghoff, Marceline Tutu van Furth
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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Background: The role of religion and faith in the context of HIV stigma is complex. It is important to recognise the diversity of religious beliefs and practices and to work with faith communities to promote a compassionate, non-stigmatising response to HIV. This aimed to explore HIV stigma within faith communities.Methods: The study used a quantitative approach with a cross-sectional design, recruiting 141 participants from faith communities in South Africa, mainly from the Western Cape province. Communities that were gathering together with a specific faith, religion, or spirituality were deemed "faith communities". Participants were recruited through the Desmond and Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation network and snowballing. HIV stigma awareness was measured using the People Living with HIV Stigma Index. Data were analysed using independent t-tests, One-Way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), and Simple correlation analysis.Results: Faith leaders who were involved in HIV ministry gave participants a better understanding of HIV stigma in their communities compared with faith leaders who were not involved in HIV ministry. Younger participants (age < 30 years) thought fewer people believed HIV stigma misinformation compared to the oldest participant group (age >51 years). Participants who witnessed HIV stigma in a community were more involved in healthcare activities (r = 0.262) but were also more likely to believe HIV is the result of immoral behaviour (r = 0.323). Communities that believed HIV was the result of immoral behaviour were more likely to believe misinformation about HIV (r = 0.244). Lastly, when the community believed facts about HIV and medicine, they were less likely to believe that HIV was the result of immoral behaviour (r = -0.246).Conclusion: Faith communities have a role in diminishing HIV stigma. Active involvement of faith communities in HIV services and programs is more effective than solely educating faith communities about HIV. Given faith communities' notable role in shaping morality and stigma within their communities, activities showing the inclusion of people with HIV are vital.

南非信仰社区的HIV污名:一项横断面研究。
背景:宗教和信仰在艾滋病毒污名背景下的作用是复杂的。重要的是要认识到宗教信仰和习俗的多样性,并与信仰团体合作,促进对艾滋病毒采取富有同情心、不污名化的应对措施。这项研究旨在探索信仰社区对艾滋病的歧视。方法:本研究采用横断面设计的定量方法,从南非的信仰社区招募了141名参与者,主要来自西开普省。拥有特定信仰、宗教或灵性的社区被认为是“信仰社区”。参与者是通过德斯蒙德和利亚图图遗产基金会网络和滚雪球方式招募的。使用艾滋病毒感染者污名指数来衡量艾滋病毒污名意识。数据分析采用独立t检验、单因素方差分析(ANOVA)和简单相关分析。结果:参与HIV事工的信仰领袖比未参与HIV事工的信仰领袖更能让参与者了解他们社区的HIV污名。较年轻的参与者(年龄< 30岁)认为,与年龄最大的参与者组(年龄50至51岁)相比,相信艾滋病毒耻辱错误信息的人较少。在社区中目睹艾滋病毒耻辱的参与者更多地参与医疗保健活动(r = 0.262),但也更有可能相信艾滋病毒是不道德行为的结果(r = 0.323)。认为艾滋病毒是不道德行为的结果的社区更有可能相信有关艾滋病毒的错误信息(r = 0.244)。最后,当社区相信艾滋病毒和药物的事实时,他们不太可能相信艾滋病毒是不道德行为的结果(r = -0.246)。结论:信仰团体在减少艾滋病毒耻辱方面发挥了作用。宗教团体积极参与艾滋病毒服务和项目比仅仅向宗教团体进行艾滋病毒教育更有效。鉴于宗教团体在塑造其社区内的道德和污名方面的显著作用,展示艾滋病病毒感染者的包容性的活动至关重要。
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来源期刊
Ajar-African Journal of Aids Research
Ajar-African Journal of Aids Research 医学-公共卫生、环境卫生与职业卫生
CiteScore
1.80
自引率
8.30%
发文量
38
审稿时长
>12 weeks
期刊介绍: African Journal of AIDS Research (AJAR) is a peer-reviewed research journal publishing papers that make an original contribution to the understanding of social dimensions of HIV/AIDS in African contexts. AJAR includes articles from, amongst others, the disciplines of sociology, demography, epidemiology, social geography, economics, psychology, anthropology, philosophy, health communication, media, cultural studies, public health, education, nursing science and social work. Papers relating to impact, care, prevention and social planning, as well as articles covering social theory and the history and politics of HIV/AIDS, will be considered for publication.
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