Academic partnership with a faith-based organization to build HIV/AIDS prevention capacity in African American churches in Alabama

In its third decade, the AIDS virus continues to affect millions every year. Currently, in the United States, HIV/AIDS disproportionately affects minority communities, particularly in the rural South, where the epidemic continues to increase. There is a growing amount of literature that African American church leadership could play a significant role in galvanizing community members in HIV/AIDS prevention strategies. A study was designed to assess current preventive services in an organization of African American churches in Alabama and their influences. Qualitative interviews were conducted with eight pastors of the conference to gain insight into influences on HIV/AIDS prevention. These interviews were used to develop a survey tool to further assess behaviors of church leaders around HIVAIDS. In order to maximize church leadership participation, a former leader and well respected minister within the organization was sought as a crucial partner in the project. This person was compensated as a Ministerial Liaison on the project to assist with recruitment in the study. This presentation will explore the partnership model of a ministerial organization in partnership with academic researchers in order to build the capacity of the community to conduct HIV/AIDS prevention activities. Additionally, results of the pilot study will be presented to suggest a number of possible influencers of interest and participation in HIV/AIDS prevention activities. It is hoped that this pilot study may lead to development of new and innovative strategies in which the African American church may become more involved in the fight against the spread of HIV/AIDS.