Barriers and Facilitators to Providing HIV-Related Services in Bostonian African American Churches: A Focus Group Study of Clergy and Community Members

Abstract

African American churches are potential sites of culturally relevant HIV prevention and service provision. A coalition including an ecumenical group of Christian clergy and lay leaders in the African American church community, a minority AIDS service organization, and an academic medical center, was funded to develop faith-based HIV education, prevention, and testing services. Before service implementation, coalition leaders conducted six focus groups with 46 different religious leaders and community members at risk for or living with HIV/AIDS, to understand program needs and collaboration strategies. Study participants identified key barriers and facilitators that are critical to the success of faith-based HIV/AIDS services.