An Exploration of U.S. Southern Faith Leaders' Perspectives of HIV Prevention, Sexuality, and Sexual Health Teachings.

Latrice C Pichon,Idia B Thurston,Siri Ogg,Trisha Arnold,Terrinieka Williams Powell,Nicole Becton-Odum,Andrea Williams Stubbs

doi:10.3390/ijerph17165734

Abstract

Reducing human immunodeficiency viruses (HIV) and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) racial/ethnic disparities in the Deep South has been a critical objective of the U.S. National HIV/AIDS Strategy. This finding, originally published in 2010 by the Office of National AIDS Policy, serves as a complement to the Health and Human Resources and Services Administration’s Ending the HIV Epidemic (EtHE): A Plan for America. The EtHE plan, released in 2019, emphasizes community stakeholder involvement to achieve the planning goals of decreasing new HIV infections in key U.S. geographic areas. According to the plan, an important stakeholder is faith leaders, especially around stigma reduction. This paper focuses on a community–academic research partnership’s exploration of southern Black faith leaders’ teaching perspectives regarding HIV prevention, sexuality, and sexual health in predominantly Black congregations in Memphis, Tennessee. The partnership conducted four focus groups using a semi-structured discussion interview. Any adult faith leader involved in ministry work in a predominantly Black church was eligible to participate in the discussion. A total of 26 faith leaders with a mean age of 54, representing four Christian denominations, consented to participate in the study. Emerging themes included: (1) restriction of scripture to teach prevention and address sexuality, (2) role of secrecy and silence in living with HIV, and (3) impact of the stigma of HIV and sexuality. Findings may inform nationwide jurisdictional implementation plans, particularly for faith-based interventions in southern churches working toward ending the HIV epidemic.

Highlights

MethodsThis study employed a descriptive, qualitative design to gain a better understanding of teaching perspectives of human immunodeficiency viruses (HIV) prevention, sexuality, and sexual health among a convenience sample of faith leaders pastoring predominantly Black congregations in Memphis, Tennessee
Despite making up only 2% of the U.S population, Black men who have sex with men (BMSM)account for 75% of all new human immunodeficiency viruses (HIV) infections [1]
Our findings demonstrate that interpretations of biblical scripture and selective use of scripture affects how faith leaders engage in specific conversations about sexuality and sex altogether

Summary

Methods

This study employed a descriptive, qualitative design to gain a better understanding of teaching perspectives of HIV prevention, sexuality, and sexual health among a convenience sample of faith leaders pastoring predominantly Black congregations in Memphis, Tennessee. A participatory research approach was employed by involving all community–academic partners to address the study objectives, and the project was conceptualized by the community [26]. This partnership consisted of a non-profit, faith-based community organization, an HIV prevention coalition, and a university. Data collection and recruitment involved both community and academic partners. Data were interpreted and prepared for publication using collaborative processes with two community partners included as co-authors [27]

Results

Discussion

Conclusion