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Adimora AA, Goldmon MV, Coyne-Beasley T, Ramirez CB, Thompson GA, Ellis D, Stevenson JL, Williams JM, Howard DL, Godley PA. Black Pastors' Views on preaching about sex: barriers, facilitators, and opportunities for HIV prevention messaging. ETHNICITY & HEALTH 2019; 24:560-574. [PMID: 28670980 DOI: 10.1080/13557858.2017.1346180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Despite the disproportionately high rates of heterosexually transmitted HIV infection among US Blacks and ongoing need for effective inexpensive behavioral interventions, the use of sermons as an HIV prevention tool in Black churches has received little research attention. The Black church plays an important role in Black communities and is a potential ally in development and delivery of sexual risk prevention messages. The objective of this study was to examine Black pastors' thoughts about whether sermons should address issues related to heterosexual relationships - and the barriers and facilitators to discussing these topics in a sermon setting. DESIGN We conducted in-depth semi-structured, individual interviews among 39 pastors of Black churches in North Carolina and analyzed the interview data using thematic analysis strategies based on grounded theory. RESULTS Pastors expressed widely ranging opinions, especially about discussion of condom use, but generally agreed that sermons should discuss marriage, abstinence, monogamy, dating, and infidelity - behaviors that impact sexual networks and HIV transmission. The major barriers to incorporation of these subjects into sermons include the extent to which a concept undermines their religious beliefs and uncertainty about how to incorporate it. However, scriptural support for a prevention message and the pastor's perception that the message is relevant to the congregation facilitate incorporation of related topics into sermons. CONCLUSIONS These findings have implications for the potential utility of sermons as an HIV prevention tool and suggest that it is possible for public health professionals and pastors of Black churches to form partnerships to develop messages that are consonant with pastors' religious convictions as well as public health recommendations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adaora A Adimora
- a School of Medicine , University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill , Chapel Hill , NC , USA
- b Cecil G. Sheps Center for Health Services Research , University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill , Chapel Hill , NC , USA
- c UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health , University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill , Chapel Hill , NC , USA
| | | | - Tamera Coyne-Beasley
- a School of Medicine , University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill , Chapel Hill , NC , USA
- b Cecil G. Sheps Center for Health Services Research , University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill , Chapel Hill , NC , USA
| | - Catalina B Ramirez
- a School of Medicine , University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill , Chapel Hill , NC , USA
| | | | - Danny Ellis
- f Ellis Research & Consulting Service , LLC , Wilson , NC , USA
| | | | | | - Daniel L Howard
- i Public Policy Research Institute , Texas A&M University , College Station , TX , USA
- j Department of Sociology , Texas A&M University, College Station , TX , USA
| | - Paul A Godley
- a School of Medicine , University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill , Chapel Hill , NC , USA
- b Cecil G. Sheps Center for Health Services Research , University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill , Chapel Hill , NC , USA
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Stewart JM, Hanlon A, Brawner BM. Predictors of HIV/AIDS Programming in African American Churches: Implications for HIV Prevention, Testing, and Care. HEALTH EDUCATION & BEHAVIOR 2016; 44:385-393. [PMID: 27540035 DOI: 10.1177/1090198116663695] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Using data from the National Congregational Study, we examined predictors of having an HIV/AIDS program in predominately African American churches across the United States. We conducted regression analyses of Wave II data ( N = 1,506) isolating the sample to churches with a predominately African American membership. The dependent variable asked whether or not the congregation currently had any program focused on HIV or AIDS. Independent variables included several variables from the individual, organizational, and social levels. Our study revealed that region, clergy age, congregant disclosure of HIV-positive status, permitting cohabiting couples to be members, sponsorship or participation in programs targeted to physical health issues, and having a designated person or committee to address health-focused programs significantly increased the likelihood of African American churches having an HIV/AIDS program. A paucity of nationally representative research focuses on the social-, organizational-, and individual-level predictors of having HIV/AIDS programs in African American churches. Determining the characteristics of churches with HIV/AIDS programming at multiple levels is a critical and necessary approach with significant implications for partnering with African American churches in HIV or AIDS initiatives.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Alexandra Hanlon
- 2 University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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Stewart JM. Implementation of evidence-based HIV interventions for young adult African American women in church settings. J Obstet Gynecol Neonatal Nurs 2014; 43:655-663. [PMID: 25139612 DOI: 10.1111/1552-6909.12494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/01/2014] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To assess the barriers and facilitators to using African American churches as sites for implementation of evidence-based HIV interventions among young African American women. DESIGN Mixed methods cross-sectional design. SETTING African American churches in Philadelphia, PA. PARTICIPANTS 142 African American pastors, church leaders, and young adult women ages 18 to 25. METHODS Mixed methods convergent parallel design. RESULTS The majority of young adult women reported engaging in high-risk HIV-related behaviors. Although church leaders reported willingness to implement HIV risk-reduction interventions, they were unsure of how to initiate this process. Key facilitators to the implementation of evidence-based interventions included the perception of the leadership and church members that HIV interventions were needed and that the church was a promising venue for them. A primary barrier to implementation in this setting is the perception that discussions of sexuality should be private. CONCLUSION Implementation of evidence-based HIV interventions for young adult African American women in church settings is feasible and needed. Building a level of comfort in discussing matters of sexuality and adapting existing evidence-based interventions to meet the needs of young women in church settings is a viable approach for successful implementation.
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