Denominational differences in implementing a faith-based HIV curriculum

YOUR Blessed Health (YBH) is a health education program designed to increase the capacity of faith–based organizations to address HIV/AIDS among African American congregations. Pastors, pastors' spouses, and other faith leaders participated in a 16-hour initial training to gain knowledge and skills to facilitate youth and adult HIV education sessions in their churches. In the YBH program, faith leaders had some flexibility in how they presented topics they felt uncomfortable discussing with youth and adults. The purpose of this study was to assess potential denominational differences in comfort level discussing key sexual health behaviors. YBH program facilitators (N=25) representing seven denominations and twenty-three churches were administered a questionnaire assessing their comfort level discussing anal, vaginal, and oral sex on a 4-point scale where 1=not comfortable and 4=very comfortable. Overall, faith leaders were comfortable discussing sexual health behaviors in their churches. Approximately, 74%, 91%, and 96% of faith leaders discussed the relationship between anal, oral, and vaginal sex, respectively, and acquiring HIV. There were, however, denominational differences in comfort level and program implementation. Baptist program facilitators were significantly more comfortable discussing anal and vaginal sex than non-Baptist facilitators (e.g., anal: 2.8 vs. 3.7, p=0.044; vaginal: 3.4 vs. 3.9, p=0.047). In chi-squared analyses, pastors were less likely to discuss anal sex or oral sex with youth than other faith leaders. These findings suggest African American faith leaders are able to lead faith-based HIV prevention efforts but that it is critical to consider denominational differences and organizational roles in faith-based health programs.