Journal Article

Factors Influencing Black Churches' Readiness to Address HIV

Becton-Odum, Nicole, Pichon, Latrice C., Williams, Andrea L., Ogg, Siri A., Powell, Terrinieka Williams

2016

Overview

This study employed a community-based participatory research approach to understand factors that influence church readiness to engage in HIV prevention and treatment activities. A convenience sample of twenty-six Black faith leaders participated in four focus groups. Data analysis was done through qualitative content analysis. Three themes emerged. First, the pastor's blessing and authority as the church's decision-maker determines readiness to engage in HIV prevention. Second, the church's purview of sexual health as part of a holistic ministry facilitates faith leader's readiness. Lastly, securing financial and human resources makes it feasible for faith leaders to implement activites. Findings suggest HIVrelated stigma alone does not explain readiness to address HIV. Participants also discussed activities their churches are equipped to handle, including HIV testing events and health fairs.

• Publisher: Springer,Springer US,Springer Nature B.V
• Subject: African Americans / Aging / AIDS / Black communities / Churches / Clergy / Clinical Psychology / Community health / Community-Based Participatory Research / Content analysis / Evaluation Studies as Topic / Faith / Female / Focus Groups / Health Promotion - methods / HIV / HIV Infections - prevention & control / HIV Infections - psychology / HIV Infections - therapy / Human immunodeficiency virus / Humans / Male / Medicine / Medicine & Public Health / Middle Aged / Older adults / Original Paper / Pastors / Public Health / Qualitative research / Religion / Religion and Medicine / Religious buildings / Religious Studies / Social Stigma / Studies / Tennessee