236753 View from the pulpit: The Christian church and its perception of HIV/AIDS

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Glenda Hinkson, MEd, MFT , Dorothy Mann Center for Pediatric & Adolescent HIV, Drexel University College of Medicine at St. Christopher's Hospital for Children, Philadelphia, PA
Barbara L. Bungy, MPH, CHES , Dorothy Mann Center for Pediatric & Adolescent HIV, Drexel University College of Medicine at St. Christopher's Hospital for Children, Philadelphia, PA
Katrina Milton, MFT , Dorothy Mann Center for Pediatric & Adolescent HIV, Drexel University College of Medicine at St. Christopher's Hospital for Children, Philadelphia, PA
Jill Foster, MD , Dorothy Mann Center for Pediatric & Adolescent HIV, Drexel University College of Medicine at St.Christopher's Hospital for Children, Philadelphia, PA
The church is a central aspect to the African American community. Pastors, who lead these churches and its congregants, must be knowledgeable, aware and interested in the issues and concerns that its parishioners experience. HIV/AIDS is such a concern for an ever growing number of African Americans individuals and families. Most Christian denominations, believe sex outside of marriage is a sin, but also the biblical standard of loving thy neighbor as thyself. Christians generally condemn homosexuality. Adultery, homosexual and lesbian practices, sexual abuse within marriage, incest and sexual abuse of children are banned. Pornography should be avoided. The official statement on sexuality states that sexual acts outside of heterosexual marriage are forbidden. This dilemma of either questioning the practices or behavior of an infected individual or not judging based on their orientation may be a factor for some Christians. This presentation will describe the results of our survey regarding the personal and denominational views of ten Christian Pastors relating to their knowledge, beliefs, and attitudes about HIV/AIDS, as well as their comfort level in discussing sexual behaviors with their congregants. We will conduct a (1) A pre- and post-test; (2) an educational intervention, (3)a short survey about their personal views and (4) A demographic sheet will be completed by each participant.

Learning Areas:
Administer health education strategies, interventions and programs
Advocacy for health and health education
Assessment of individual and community needs for health education
Protection of the public in relation to communicable diseases including prevention or control
Systems thinking models (conceptual and theoretical models), applications related to public health

Learning Objectives:
(1) Evaluate and identify methods of collaborating with Christian leaders to either assist their congregants and community members or to provide pertinent information. (2) Analyze the possible internal conflicts of the Pastor between their denominational and personal views, as well as balancing those of the church members (3) Discuss how we as Christian workers in the HIV/AIDS field may face a moral dilemma of serving our clients whose behaviours possibly go against our Christian views.

Keywords: Religion, Community-Based Health Promotion

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am qualified because I work within a HIV prevention and care program over the past three years. In addition, I offer community talks at various faith based organizations.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

See more of: HIV/AIDS & Social Justice
See more of: HIV/AIDS