Missed opportunities for religious organizations to support people living with HIV/AIDS: Findings from Tanzania

Background: Religious beliefs play an important role in the lives of Tanzanians, but little is known about the influence of religion for people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA). This study shares perspectives of PLWHA and identifies missed opportunities for religious organizations.

Methods: We conducted semi-structured interviews with 36 clients receiving free ARVs in Arusha, Tanzania. Respondents were selected for gender and time on treatment. Swahili-speaking interviewers asked about participation in religion, change since HIV diagnosis, how religion influences living with HIV, and how religion impacts taking ARVs. Interviews were audiotaped, transcribed, translated, and analyzed using Atlas t.i.

Results: We interviewed eight Muslims and 25 Christians. Prayer gave hope to live with HIV, and many noted the importance of confiding in God when they are unable to disclose to others. Several said their commitment to religion increased after diagnosis. Religion improved adherence by linking pill-taking with prayer. Most had heard that prayer can cure HIV, and two expected to be cured. Few disclosed in their religious communities, expressing fear of stigma. Several had heard messages about HIV prevention from their church or mosque, but few heard messages about living with HIV.

Conclusions: Respondents benefited from individual relationships with religious beliefs, but were not supported by religious organizations. This points to missed opportunities by religious organizations to support PLWHA, particularly the need to ensure that messages about HIV are not stigmatizing; share information about HIV testing and treatment; introduce role models of PLWHA; and emphasize that prayers and medical care go hand-in-hand.