Susanne B. Montgomery
Æ Juan C. Belliard Published online: 10 January 2009
Blanton-Peale Institute 2009 Abstract
address a wide range of health issues. This study examined the assets Nigerian church
members believed their churches needed, including the assets they thought they had to
engage in HIV/AIDS prevention activities. Eight hundred and thirty members from 83
churches completed a questionnaire designed from forum focus group data. Respondents
were males and females aged 18 years old and above, with primary, secondary, university,
or vocational education, and were more likely to be married than single (never married),
separated, divorced, widowed or remarried. The data revealed that church members needed
access to health promotion assets, including the expertise of members who are health
professionals to engage in HIV/AIDS prevention activities. We recommend an intensive
HIV/AIDS prevention reorientation-training workshop for church leaders to ensure a
sustainable plan to address HIV/AIDS prevention needs.
Health intervention programs have the potential to use church-based assets to Keywords
Church Needs Assets Prevention HIV/AIDS Nigeria Introduction
Churches have the ‘‘land, people, and history’’ (Simpson and King
capacity to reach a wide range of people (Lasater et al.
Members’ connectedness with others (Burkhardt 1994) through relationships &) J. W. Lee S. B. Montgomery 123
J Relig Health (2010) 49:50–61
DOI 10.1007/s10943-008-9234-6
(Dyson et al.
pandemic.
The economic impact of HIV/AIDS (Bollinger et al.
the need to scale up HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment, and sustainability (Osotimehin
Estimates put the number of HIV infected people in Nigeria at about 3.6 million, AIDS
deaths at 310,000 and AIDS Orphans at 1.8 million (Center for Disease Control and Prevention
1997) makes them a positive force in the global fight against the HIV/AIDS1999) is a national challenge; hence2006). 2006
remain accessible to less than 1% of those who need them (Peterson and Obileye
response, the Nigerian government formulated a national HIV/AIDS policy as a framework
‘‘
impact
children (Federal Government of Nigeria
and operated by Christian denominations, provide about 40% of health services in Nigeria,
and some of the churches have formulated HIV/AIDS policies (Christian Health Association
of Nigeria
(NACA), programs have been provided for the ‘‘Training of priests and church workers and
other care givers’’ (Christian Health Association of Nigeria
continue to contribute to government’s effort to reduce the HIV/AIDS prevalence (Joint
United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS
Due to limited resources, government alone cannot cope with the demands of HIV/
AIDS prevention. A decentralized and participatory approach (National Action Committee
on AIDS
needed to increase HIV/AIDS prevention activities and improving services on a wider
scale. Organizational capacities of churches may include support groups (Young Men’s
Christian Association-YMCA, and Young Women Christian Association-YWCA,
Women’s Guild, etc.). Others are business partners (banks, other churches, media houses),
infrastructure (schools, hospitals/clinics, buses, lands, buildings), communication services
(access to media, bulletin boards, newsletters, fliers), use of music, peer educators, and role
modeling (McKnight and Kretzmann
Given that access to important resources and opportunities increases perceived behavioral
control (Ajzen
presents assets relevant to HIV/AIDS prevention that churches believe they need and have.
). The prevalence rate is currently at 4.4% (WHO 2008). Antiretroviral drugs2002). In… to control the spread… provide equitable care and support… and to mitigate the…’’ of HIV/AIDS, with a political commitment to provide treatment to adults and2003, p 15). Mission health institutions, owned2004). In partnership with the National Action Committee on AIDS2004, p 7), and the beneficiaries2003).2007) is germane in mobilizing the existing human and material potentials1996; Effa 2005; Nwaorgu 2005; Pinneh 2005).1991) and effective action against the HIV/AIDS problems, this study Methods
Study Population
This study was conducted with 830 church members representing both orthodox and
indigenous churches in Aba, a major commercial center in Abia State, in southeast Nigeria.
Aba serves as either a sub regional, regional, or national headquarters to many of the
Christian churches in Nigeria. Abia State is one of the 36 states of the Federal Republic of
Nigeria, located within the forest belt of Nigeria. It lies between longitude 4
450 and 6 170 north, and latitude 7
Study Inclusion Criteria
Christian Churches that had operated in the area for five or more years with a resident
pastor, a church building, and membership of 100 or more were included. We contacted
000 and 8 100 east. J Relig Health (2010) 49:50–61 51
123
120 churches and 83 indicated a willingness to participate. More than one church from the
same denomination participated. Due to resource constraints, for any church that agreed to
participate, we sought a convenience sample of 10 respondents from the pastor, priest, or
leader to respond to a multi-item questionnaire. The selection by church leaders was based
on the assumption that they know members who are knowledgeable about church needs
and assets. Trained field assistants went over all study procedures and obtained written
consent from all participants before asking them to take the self-administered multi-item
survey, which took between 30 and 45 min to complete. Questions and concerns were
addressed and it was explained that participation was voluntary. The Institutional Review
Board of Loma Linda University granted permission for this study.
Measures
The study progressed in two phases: first, in phase 1, a qualitative phase in which we
gathered information on perceived needs and assets from 32 individuals in four forum
focus groups. Common themes emanating from the forum focus group discussion were
used to develop a survey instrument that was first pilot tested with 20 persons from 20 nonparticipating
but similar churches for clarity and ease of understanding prior to collecting
the data. The resulting survey was administered to church members in phase 2 of the study.
The same items listed as needs were also listed as assets; we needed to know if church
members had what they said they needed.
The questionnaire had three types of questions relevant to this article:
1.
level of completed education, marital status, religious affiliation, length of current
church membership, including characteristics of churches such as number of pastors/
priests, number of members, number of services per week, whether they had a paid
secretary, and size of the church board (if any).
2.
activities. This included two types of needs: (a) assets a local church might need from
its own resources (e.g., Members who are health professionals), and (b) assets a local
church might need from its denomination (e.g., Linkages with government).
3.
exactly to the two types of assets listed in part 2 above: local church resources and
denominational resources.
Regarding needs and assets we elicited responses of
church needed or had the asset; a
asset; or otherwise a
Statistical Analysis
Once the respondents completed the surveys all responses were double entered and
compared for discrepancies. Analysis was with SPSS version 15. The analysis included the
respondents’ demographics and church characteristics. In reporting the percent of
respondents believing they needed or had an asset each local church asset was categorized
as either health promotion, spiritual, capacity building, financial, or social asset. Each of
the denominational assets was classified as manpower, material/method, or money.
Analysis of the differences in orientation toward HIV/AIDS prevention activities among
participating churches was not discussed in this article.
Demographics. This section included questions about gender, age in years, highestChurch Needs. A list of 55 assets a church might need to engage in HIV/AIDSChurch Assets. A list of 55 assets a church might already have; this list correspondingYes if the member believed hisNo if the member believed he did not need or have theDon’t know response. The survey was conducted in English. 52 J Relig Health (2010) 49:50–61
123
Results
Respondents’ Demographics and Church Characteristics
Of those completing the survey 55% were female and 45% male. There was a slight
preponderance of males but both sexes were well represented. Their ages ranged from 18–
61 years. Almost half of the respondents (46.7%) indicated they had university education.
Most (56%) said they were married. Reported length of current church membership of
5 years and above (75.1%) was highest among the respondents. A plurality of the
respondents said they had one to two pastors. Regarding the number of services per week,
more than half (58.1%) of the respondents indicated that they had one to three services per
week. While more than half of the respondents (65.2%) said they did not have a paid
secretary, 78% indicated they had a church board. Not all those who had a church board
said they had a paid secretary (33.4%).
Respondents were asked about their church affiliation. Affiliations were as follows:
14.5% were Seventh-day Adventist (SDA), 8.4% Presbyterian or Methodist; Catholic and
Assemblies of God 7.2% each; Redeemed Christian Church of God and Apostolic
Christian Church Mission 6% each; Anglican Church and The Church of Jesus Christ 4.8%
each; the Redeemed Evangelical Mission, United Evangelical and Christ Ascension
Churches 3.6% each; Living Word Ministries (Abundant Living), Faith Tabernacle
Church, Evangelical Church of West Africa (ECWA), Christian Pentecostal Mission
(CPM), and Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) 2.4% each; the Lord’s Chosen
Charismatic Renewal, The Flaming Sword Ministry, Church of Christ, Living Faith Church
(Winners Chapel), Peculiar Pentecostal Church, Gospel Crusaders, The True Church of
God, and National Church 1.2% each.
Perceived Church Needs for HIV/AIDS Prevention
Table
prevention activities by category: Health promotion, spiritual, capacity building, financial,
and social. In general, church members’ greatest needs seem to fall in the health promotion
and spiritual needs category, while capacity building financial and social needs seem to be
emphasized a bit less.
1.
education. Less than half (44.7%) indicated they needed barbers shop for members (to
avoid the transmission of HIV through unsafe use of shaving equipment at public
barber shops and salons).
2.
more in this category. Those who indicated that they needed compassion for those
people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWA) were less than those who said they needed
compassion for those affected.
3.
needed men’s ministry on HIV/AIDS.
4.
scholarship for orphans (84.7%).
5.
teams (82.2%).
1 presents the percentage distribution of perceived local church needs for HIV/AIDSHealth promotion needs. In general, the majority reported that they needed HIV/AIDSSpiritual needs. Church members felt they needed preaching on HIV/AIDS (93.6%)Capacity building needs. The majority of the church members (87.6%) felt theyFinancial needs. The majority of the church members reported that they neededSocial needs. The majority of the church members indicated that they needed visitation J Relig Health (2010) 49:50–61 53
123
Table 1
What a local church might need Yes No Do not know Total (
N % N % N % N %
Health promotion needs
HIV/AIDS education 788 94.9 25 3.0 17 2.0 830 100.0
General education about health 777 94.3 14 1.7 33 4.0 824 99.3
*Members who are health professionals
(doctors, nurses, health workers)
732 89.7 47 5.8 37 4.5 816 98.3
HIV/AIDS booklets/brochures 713 88.1 40 4.9 56 6.9 809 97.5
Transportation to health programs 715 87.8 53 6.5 46 5.7 814 98.1
HIV/AIDS posters 692 86.0 70 8.7 43 5.3 805 97.0
Church HIV/AIDS action committee 521 63.7 191 23.3 106 13.0 818 98.6
Barbing salon for members 366 44.7 333 40.7 120 14.7 819 98.7
Spiritual needs
Preaching on HIV/AIDS 756 93.6 32 4.0 20 2.5 808 97.3
Prayer for those who have HIV/AIDS 751 90.5 66 8.0 13 1.6 830 100.0
Faith that God can heal 745 90.1 14 1.7 68 8.2 827 99.6
Compassion for those affected 686 85.8 74 9.3 40 5.0 800 96.4
Compassion for those infected 616 74.4 184 22.2 28 3.4 828 99.8
Capacity building needs
Men’s ministry on HIV/AIDS 727 87.6 37 4.5 63 7.6 827 99.6
Trained HIV/AIDS counselors 722 87.0 46 5.6 49 6.0 817 98.4
Women’s ministry on HIV/AIDS 700 84.6 37 4.5 90 10.9 827 99.6
Youth ministry 696 84.1 60 7.2 72 8.7 828 99.8
Projector/DVD/VCD 660 81.3 91 11.2 61 7.5 812 97.8
Members to advocate for people living
with HIV/AIDS
622 76.5 71 8.7 120 14.8 813 98.0
Time for HIV/AIDS education during
regular church service
454 55.4 199 24.3 167 20.4 820 98.8
Financial needs
Scholarship for orphans 693 84.7 81 9.9 44 5.4 818 98.6
Special offering for HIV/AIDS programs 587 72.0 169 20.7 59 7.2 815 98.2
Financial support from non-members 575 70.6 119 14.6 120 14.7 814 98.1
Social needs
Visitation teams for people who have
HIV/AIDS
680 82.2 54 6.5 93 11.2 827 99.6
Visitation teams for families affected
by HIV/AIDS
652 79.0 48 5.8 125 15.2 825 99.4
Home outreach services 588 72.0 62 7.6 167 20.4 817 98.4
Job placement for HIV/AIDS affected
families
556 68.1 58 7.1 202 24.8 816 98.3
Food and clothing for those infected 530 65.2 161 19.8 122 15.0 813 98.0
Food and clothing for those affected 534 64.8 152 18.4 138 16.7 824 99.3
Percentage distribution of perceived local church needs for HIV/AIDS prevention activitiesN = 830) Note
initial qualitative study, we classified ‘‘Church members who are health professionals’’ as both local church
and denominational need
54 J Relig Health (2010) 49:50–61
: Some rows do not add to 100% because of rounding error or missing data. * Based on the result of the 123
Perceived Church Needs from Its Denomination for HIV/AIDS Prevention
Table
might need from its denomination to engage in HIV/AIDS prevention activities. Each of
the denominational assets was classified into one of the three subcategories: Manpower,
material/method, and money.
1.
church members who are health professionals.
2.
AIDS counseling center.
3.
HIV/AIDS programs.
Perceived Church Assets for HIV/AIDS Prevention
Table
engage in HIV/AIDS prevention and control activities by category: Spiritual, health promotion,
social, financial, and capacity building. The categories are ordered from highest
mean level of assets within the category to lowest mean assets within the category.
2 shows the percentage distribution of what church members believe a local churchManpower. The highest percentage of the respondents (89.9%) said they neededMaterials/method. The majority of the church members said they needed an HIV/Money. More than half (68.3%) thought they needed inter-denominational funds for3 reveals the percentage distribution of perceived assets a local church might have to Spiritual Assets
Most of the respondents (83%) had faith that God is able to heal people living with HIV/
AIDS. Those who said they had compassion for those infected (82.2%) were more in
number than those who said they had compassion for those affected. Others indicated they
had prayer for PLWA (78.8%) and preaching on HIV/AIDS (75.7%).
Health Promotion Assets
Majority of the church members (68%) reported that they had general education about
health for church members while 61.9% had HIV/AIDS education for members, and 54.4%
had members who are health professionals (doctors, nurses, health workers). Less than
50% reported that they had a church HIV/AIDS action committee, transportation to health
programs, HIV/AIDS posters, HIV/AIDS booklets/brochures, and barbers shop for
members.
Social Assets
The majority of the church members reported that they had home outreach services
(56.9%). Less than 50% said they had food and clothing for PLWA and their families, job
placement for HIV/AIDS affected families and visitation teams for PLWA and their
families.
Financial Assets
Less than 50% had financial support from non-members, special offerings taken up for
HIV/AIDS programs, and scholarship for orphans.
J Relig Health (2010) 49:50–61 55
123
Table 2
HIV/AIDS prevention activities
What a local church might need from
its denomination
Yes No Do not know Total (
Number % Number % Number % Number %
Manpower
*Members who are health
professionals (doctors, nurses,
health workers)
745 89.9 42 5.1 42 5.1 829 99.9
HIV/AIDS leadership training for
church members
677 82.2 67 8.1 80 9.7 824 99.3
Materials and method
An HIV/AIDS counseling center 718 87.8 54 6.6 46 5.6 818 98.6
HIV/AIDS Testing kits 714 87.2 35 4.3 70 8.5 819 98.7
HIV testing centers 719 86.9 65 7.9 43 5.2 827 99.6
Zonal/district HIV/AIDS
programs
694 86.2 67 8.3 44 5.5 805 97.0
HIV/AIDS treatment centers 704 84.9 52 6.3 73 8.8 829 99.9
Training center (to train members
on HIV/AIDS prevention)
694 84.6 90 11.0 36 4.4 820 98.8
Linkages with private agencies 681 82.7 41 5.0 101 12.3 823 99.2
Linkages with treatment centers 675 81.9 102 12.4 47 5.7 824 99.3
Linkages with government 667 80.7 39 4.7 121 14.6 827 99.6
Free HIV/AIDS drug donation 667 80.6 51 6.2 110 13.3 828 99.8
HIV/AIDS TV ministry 661 79.9 109 13.2 57 6.9 827 99.6
Free drug donations for
opportunistic infections
646 79.2 41 5.0 129 15.8 816 98.3
Participation in HIV/AIDS
research
640 78.4 113 13.8 63 7.7 816 98.3
HIV/AIDS radio ministry 635 77.9 129 15.8 51 6.3 815 98.2
HIV/AIDS rehabilitation centers 616 74.8 76 9.2 132 16.0 824 99.3
School(s) 585 71.1 104 12.6 134 16.3 823 99.2
Referral centers 569 70.5 98 12.1 140 17.3 807 97.2
Linkages with other churches 570 70.2 86 10.6 156 19.2 812 97.8
An orphanage 556 67.4 86 10.4 183 22.2 825 99.4
An hospital 525 64.7 110 13.5 177 21.8 812 97.8
A clinic 473 59.6 75 9.4 246 31.0 794 95.7
Denominational HIV/AIDS
policy
472 58.3 153 18.9 185 22.8 810 97.6
Blood bank for members 428 52.6 215 26.4 171 21.0 814 98.1
Money
Inter-denominational fund for
HIV/AIDS programs
557 68.3 99 12.1 159 19.5 815 98.2
Percentage distribution of what a local church might need from its denomination to engage inN = 830) Note
initial qualitative study, we classified ‘‘Church members who are health professionals’’ as both local church
and denominational need
56 J Relig Health (2010) 49:50–61
: Some rows do not add to 100% because of rounding error or missing data. * Based on the result of the 123
Table 3
activities (
Assets a local church might have Yes No Do not
know
Total
N % N % N % N %
Spiritual asset
Faith that God is able to heal people living
with HIV/AIDS
688 83.2 76 9.2 63 7.6 827 99.6
Compassion for those infected 673 82.2 112 13.7 34 4.2 819 98.7
Prayer for those who have HIV/AIDS 637 78.8 48 5.9 123 15.2 808 97.3
Preaching on HIV/AIDS 624 75.7 180 21.8 20 2.4 824 99.3
Compassion for those affected 557 68.5 201 24.7 55 6.8 813 98.0
Health promotion asset
General education about health for church members 564 68.0 233 28.1 32 3.9 829 99.9
HIV/AIDS education for members 512 61.9 258 31.2 57 6.9 827 99.6
*Members who are health professionals
(doctors, nurses, health workers)
437 54.4 311 38.7 56 7.0 804 96.9
Church HIV/AIDS action committee 361 44.2 291 35.6 165 20.2 817 98.4
Transportation to health programs 195 24.2 482 59.7 130 16.1 807 97.2
HIV/AIDS posters 179 22.2 528 65.5 99 12.3 806 97.1
HIV/AIDS Booklets/brochures 122 15.0 595 73.0 98 12.0 815 98.2
Barbing salon for members 87 11.1 613 77.9 87 11.1 787 94.8
Social asset
Home outreach services 463 56.9 229 28.2 121 14.9 813 98.0
Food and clothing for those who have HIV/AIDS 408 49.3 316 38.2 104 12.6 828 99.8
Food and clothing for families affected by HIV/AIDS 390 47.2 308 37.2 129 15.6 827 99.6
Job placement for HIV/AIDS affected families 207 25.7 488 60.5 112 13.9 807 97.2
Visitation teams for people who have HIV/AIDS 191 23.7 505 62.7 110 13.6 806 97.1
Visitation teams for families affected by HIV/AIDS 180 22.3 516 63.9 111 13.8 807 97.2
Financial asset
Financial support from non-members 332 40.2 349 42.3 145 17.6 826 99.5
Special offerings taken up for HIV/AIDS 294 36.2 408 50.2 110 13.5 812 97.8
Scholarship for orphans 187 23.2 533 66.0 87 10.8 807 97.2
Capacity building asset
Trained HIV/AIDS counselors 259 32.1 481 59.6 67 8.3 807 97.2
Members to advocate for people living with HIV/AIDS 227 27.5 474 57.5 124 15.0 825 99.4
Youth ministry on HIV/AIDS 177 22.2 506 63.5 114 14.3 797 96.0
Time for HIV/AIDS education during regular church
service
173 20.9 582 70.2 74 8.9 829 99.9
Men’s ministry on HIV/AIDS 159 19.7 516 63.9 133 16.5 808 97.3
Women’s ministry on HIV/AIDS 152 18.8 539 66.7 117 14.5 808 97.3
Projector/DVD/VCD 23 2.8 755 91.1 51 6.2 829 99.9
Percentage distribution of assets a local church might have to engage in HIV/AIDS preventionN = 830) Note
initial qualitative study, we classified ‘‘Church members who are health professionals’’ as both local church
and denominational need
J Relig Health (2010) 49:50–61 57
: Some rows do not add to 100% because of rounding error or missing data. * Based on the result of the 123
Capacity Building Assets
Less than one-third had trained HIV/AIDS counselors, members to advocate for PLWA,
time for HIV/AIDS education during regular church service, projector/DVD/VCD, and
men’s, women’s and youth ministries on HIV/AIDS.
Table 4
to engage in HIV/AIDS prevention activities
Denominational assets a local church might have access to Yes No Do not
know
Total
(
N % N % N % N %
Manpower
*Members who are health professionals
(doctors, nurses, health worker)
376 45.7 409 49.8 37 4.5 822 99.0
HIV/AIDS leadership training for church members 171 20.7 611 74.0 44 5.3 826 99.5
Materials and method
HIV/AIDS rehabilitation centers 247 30.3 513 62.9 56 6.9 816 98.3
HIV/AIDS Testing kits 233 28.6 534 65.4 49 6.0 816 98.3
School(s) 236 28.5 439 53.0 153 18.5 828 99.8
Participation in HIV/AIDS research 219 26.5 497 60.2 109 13.2 825 99.4
Zonal/district HIV/AIDS programs 203 24.6 423 51.3 198 24.0 824 99.3
Linkages with other churches 170 20.7 425 51.8 225 27.4 820 98.8
Free HIV/AIDS drug donation 170 20.5 585 70.7 73 8.8 828 99.8
Linkages with government 167 20.2 468 56.7 190 23.0 825 99.4
Training center (to train members on HIV/AIDS
prevention)
159 19.3 602 73.1 62 7.5 823 99.2
Blood bank for members 153 18.8 604 74.0 59 7.2 816 98.3
Linkage with treatment centers 153 18.7 598 72.9 69 8.4 820 98.8
Linkages with private agencies 152 18.5 430 52.2 241 29.3 823 99.2
HIV testing centers 144 17.4 621 75.1 62 7.5 827 99.6
An HIV/AIDS counseling center 144 17.4 614 74.1 71 8.6 829 99.9
A clinic 136 16.7 572 70.3 106 13.0 814 98.1
Denominational HIV/AIDS policy 132 16.2 536 65.9 145 17.8 813 98.0
An hospital 131 15.9 592 72.0 99 12.0 822 99.0
An orphanage 127 15.4 614 74.2 86 10.4 827 99.6
Referral centers 124 15.2 623 76.4 68 8.3 815 98.2
HIV/AIDS TV ministry 125 15.1 660 79.8 42 5.1 827 99.6
HIV/AIDS treatment centers 125 15.1 649 78.4 54 6.5 828 99.8
Free drug donation for opportunistic infections 123 15.0 637 77.8 59 7.2 819 98.7
HIV/AIDS radio ministry 111 13.5 674 81.9 38 4.6 823 99.2
Money
Inter-denominational fund for HIV/AIDS programs 118 14.4 598 73.1 102 12.5 818 98.6
Percentage distribution of denominational assets that a local church might have access to in orderN = 830) Note
initial qualitative study, we classified ‘‘Church members who are health professionals’’ as both local church
and denominational need
58 J Relig Health (2010) 49:50–61
: Some rows do not add to 100% because of rounding error or missing data. * Based on the result of the 123
Perceived Denominational Assets a Local Church Might Have or Have Access to in
Order to Engage in HIV/AIDS Prevention Activities
Table
church might have or have access to in order to engage in HIV/AIDS prevention activities.
Each of the denominational assets was classified into one of the three sub categories:
Manpower, material/method, and money.
1.
members who are health professionals to provide HIV/AIDS prevention activities.
2.
centers.
3.
HIV/AIDS programs.
4 shows the percentage distribution of perceived denominational assets that a localManpower. The majority of the respondents (45.7%) indicated that they had access toMaterials/method. Less than one-third indicated that they had HIV/AIDS rehabilitationMoney. Less than one-fourth indicated that they had inter-denominational funds for Discussion
Knowledge of what church members think they need and have to engage in HIV/AIDS
prevention activities may be useful in increasing the capacity of churches to reach a wide
range of people. In this study, we classified needs and assets into six categories: health
promotion, capacity building, financial resources, social support, spiritual care, and
denominational support. The components within each of the six categories tend to connect
to each other. For instance within the health promotion category, the need for HIV/AIDS
education and general education about health seems to be related to the need for health
education tools such as HIV/AIDS booklets, brochures, and posters.
There appears to be a switch between the greatest needs and assets of church members.
While the
spiritual needs categories, their
health promotion assets categories. It is also notable that there is a much larger gap between
what people believe they need and have regarding health promotion assets than there is for
spiritual assets. The tendency by church members to have emphasized capacity building,
financial and social needs a bit less than health promotion and spiritual needs may be based on
the thought that spiritual care, considered to be the core
channel through which HIV/AIDS education can be addressed. Traditionally, churches have
the capacity to provide spiritual support (Kelly
ecumenical and church-related organizations in Africa, participants emphasized the need for
commitment to HIV/AIDS education and training, as well as spiritual resources (World
Council of Churches
account all asset categories is more likely to create a wider impact.
Critical resources (De Jesus
are needed by the churches to address critical needs. In the area of things church members
thought they needed from their denomination the highest percentage of the members
(89.9%) indicated that they needed church members who are health professionals, perhaps
to help them coordinate HIV/AIDS prevention and control activities. This might be a call
for active denominational leadership in the coordination of church-based HIV/AIDS prevention
and control activities at the local church level. Access to important denominational
resources such as church members who are health professionals may be needed to coordinate
church-based HIV/AIDS prevention and control activities at the local church level.
greatest needs of churches seem to fall first in the health promotion and then in thegreatest assets tend to fall first in the spiritual and then in thebusiness of the church, can be a useful2004). At a recent dialogue among churches,2001). A multifaceted approach (Osotimehin 2006) that takes into2008) such as health professionals who are church members J Relig Health (2010) 49:50–61 59
123
This study was based on self-report. Participants may have tried to look good by over
reporting assets their churches needed and had for HIV/AIDS prevention activities. There
was no random selection of participants; church leaders selected members they thought
were knowledgeable about the needs and assets of the churches.
This article focused on assets members in 83 churches believed they needed and had.
Future analysis of the data may reveal differences in orientation of participating churches
toward HIV/AIDS prevention activities. Despite these limitations, the study demonstrated
the usefulness of identifying and isolating church’s needs and assets for HIV/AIDS prevention
from the wider community needs and resources. We recommend an intensive HIV/
AIDS prevention reorientation/training workshop for health professional church members,
including training of church leaders on ways of integrating HIV/AIDS prevention activities
into regular church programs. A clear implementation plan and defined functions would be
an important strategy for sustaining action.
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Perceived Church-Based Needs and Assets for HIV/AIDS
Prevention in an Urban Nigerian Community
G. N. Aja (
Department of Public and Allied Health, Babcock University, Ilishan-Remo, Nigeria
e-mail: gndaja@gmail.com
N. N. Modeste
Department of Health Promotion and Education, Loma Linda University School of Public Health,
Loma Linda, CA, USA
J. C. Belliard
Department of Global Health, Loma Linda University School of Public Health, Loma Linda, CA, USA
1999, p 43) and the1986), to provide spirituality—a2004), as well as social and political awareness (Stillman1993). Godwin N. Aja
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