AEGiS-15IAC: The Role of the Church in HIV/AIDS Information Dissemination in Africa: A case study of the Nigerian Church.

15th International AIDS Conference


Bangkok, Thailand - July 11-16, 2004

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The Role of the Church in HIV/AIDS Information Dissemination in Africa: A case study of the Nigerian Church.

Int Conf AIDS 2004 Jul 11-16; 15:(abstract no. E10299)

Mershak BD
Institution, Jos, Nigeria

ISSUES: The Church has over the years been important to society generally in terms of information dissemination towards behaviour change. But about 20 years into theHIV/AIDS pandemics, the church in Afirca especially Nigeria has lagged in its role of making accessible HIV/AIDS information to members and the society at large.

DESCRIPTION: The Aid for AIDS/Design for the Family (AFA/DF) a project of Scripture Union Africa region works with schools and churches in making HIV/AIDS information accessible to the society in overt 26 countries in Africa. Recently its survey among 1,886 church ministers drawn from the 6 geopolitical zones in partnership with SIM pastors. Bookset project revealed that: 40% of the ministers agreed that church response has been slow, 46% said they rarely carried out HIV/AIDS campaigns in their churches. 5.5% said they had never attempted HIV/AIDS education in their churches. The observation of Health week by the churches was adjudged helpful in making HIV/AIDS information accessible to the members agreed 89%. The ministers think the most important issue in HIV/AIDS in the church is sex education 44%. This paper will explore AFA/DF experience of working with churches to share what works best in helping churches discover their potentials in HIV/AIDS information dissemination.

LESSON LEARNED: Churches in Nigeria are yet to utilise the opportunities for HIV/AIDS information dissemination as they are a force for behaviour change in the society.

RECOMMENDATION: If "access for all" is to be achieved, churches must play their role in information dissemination in the community focusing on sex education and declaring "Health week" at all levels in Nigeria, Africa and the world in general.

Keywords: AEGIS, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, HIV Seropositivity, HIV Infections, Sex Education, Africa, Health Education, Information Dissemination, African Continental Ancestry Group, Research, Nigeria

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Copyright © 2004 - International AIDS Society (IAS). Reproduction of this abstract (other than one copy for personal reference) must be cleared through the IAS.