The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #48912

Susan E. Adamchak, PhD, The Population Council, Family Health International, 4301 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Suite 280, Washington, DC 20008, 202.237.9418, sadamchak@pcdc.org and Samson Radeny, PATH-Kenya, A.C.S. Plaza, 4th Floor, Lenana and Galana Road, Nairobi, Kenya.

Religious leaders are important community members whose influence can help or hinder efforts to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS. Frequently faith based organizations play essential roles in care and support of individuals and families affected by the AIDS epidemic. However, religious leaders also have led vocal and sustained protests against efforts to promote condom use and responsible sexual behavior, arguing that these messages encourage promiscuity and sexual activity outside of marriage.

The Kenya Adolescent Reproductive Health Project (KARPH) has successfully engaged more than forty religious leaders from diverse faiths (Christian, Muslim, Pentecostal, and Quaker) in efforts to promote adolescent reproductive health among youth aged 10 to 19 in Western Kenya, an area with high prevalence of STIs and HIV/AIDS. Through a process of extensive communication and participatory efforts, these leaders were involved in multiple stages of program planning, and have taken strong and directive roles in the development of community health promotion within their churches’ social programs. As a result, the leaders have sponsored peer promoters within church affiliated youth groups, have allowed community outreach programs to take place using church facilities, have delivered frank and informative sermons to their congregants, and have encouraged church choirs to write new music that conveys messages of parent-child communication, abstinence, and avoiding risks of HIV/AIDS.

Learning Objectives:

• At the end of this presentation, reproductive health professionals will recognize opportunities to engage religious leaders in program planning, and will understand key strategic interventions applicable in different community settings

Keywords: Adolescent Health, Religion

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.