Perceptions and activities of religious leaders on the prevention of HIV/AIDS and care of people living with the HIV infection in Ibadan, Nigeria

Figures & data

Table 1 Sociodemographic characteristics of respondents

Variables	Frequency n (%)
Mean age in years	37.9 ± 13.5
Age groups in years
<25	58 (17.2%)
25–34	101 (30.1%)
35–44	74 (22.0%)
≥45	103 (30.7%)
Sex
Male	235 (69.9%)
Female	101 (30.1%)
Religion
Christianity	244 (72.6%)
Islam	92 (27.4%)
Marital status
Never married (single)	119 (35.4%)
Ever married	217 (64.6%)
Educational level
Primary	15 (4.5%)
Secondary	37 (11.0%)
Tertiary	284 (84.5%)
Ethnicity
Yoruba	270 (80.4%)
Igbo	39 (11.6%)
Hausa	3 (0.9%)
Others (Benin, Igala, Efik, and so on)	21 (7.1%)

Notes: n = 336. The age range of respondents is 16–76 years.

Abbreviation: n, number.

Table 2 Respondents’ knowledge of routes of transmission and modes of prevention of HIV infection

	Knowledgeable n (%)	Not knowledgeable n (%)
Routes of transmission of HIV infection
Sexual intercourse	333 (99.1%)	3 (0.9%)
Blood transfusion	327 (97.3%)	9 (2.7%)
Sharing sharp objects	315 (93.8%)	21 (6.2%)
Vertical transmission (pregnant mother to child)	272 (81.0%)	64 (19.0%)
Breastfeeding	196 (58.3%)	140 (41.7%)
Hugging	313 (93.2%)	23 (6.8%)
Handshake	299 (89.0%)	37 (11.0%)
Using the same toilet	272 (81.0%)	64 (19.0%)
Mosquito bite	241 (71.7%)	95 (28.3%)
Kissing	260 (77.4%)	76 (22.6%)
Modes of prevention of HIV infection
Abstinence from sex	270 (80.4%)	66 (19.6%)
Faithfulness to one’s sexual partner	307 (91.4%)	29 (8.6%)
Avoidance of sharing sharp objects	315 (93.8%)	21 (6.2%)
Use of condoms	273 (81.3%)	63 (18.7%)
Health education	239 (71.1%)	97 (28.9%)
Use of insecticides	265 (78.9%)	71 (21.0%)
Personal hygiene	104 (31.0%)	232 (69.0%)
Use of herbs	241 (71.7%)	95 (28.3%)
Avoidance of hugging, kissing, handshake with infected persons	280 (83.3%)	56 (16.7%)
Use of medication (drugs)	125 (37.2%)	211 (62.8%)
Avoidance of mosquito bite	249 (74.1%)	87 (25.9%)

Note: n = 336.

Abbreviations: HIV, human immunodeficiency virus; n, number.

Table 3 Respondents’ perception of and attitude towards HIV/AIDS

Variables	Agree n (%)	Disagree n (%)
1. People with HIV/AIDS should be isolated from the general congregation of worshippers	58 (17.3%)	278 (82.7%)
2. I run the risk of contracting HIV/AIDS	95 (28.3%)	241 (71.7%)
3. Unprotected sexual intercourse puts one at risk of contracting HIV/AIDS	310 (92.3%)	26 (7.7%)
4. HIV/AIDS is curable	180 (53.6%)	156 (46.4%)
5. Believed means of curing HIV/AIDS (n = 180)
a. Drugs	66 (36.7%)	114 (63.3%)
b. Surgery	138 (76.7%)	42 (23.3%)
c. Herbs	26 (14.4%)	154 (85.6%)
d. Prayers	150 (83.3%)	30 (16.7%)
e. Faith	139 (77.2%)	41 (22.8%)
f. Miracles	139 (72.2%)	41 (22.8%)
6. Religion has influence on the war against HIV/AIDS	215 (64.0%)	121 (36.0%)
7. I have sufficient knowledge and skill to protect myself if I have to care for an HIV-positive congregation member	161 (47.9%)	175 (52.1%)
8. I know my HIV status	161 (47.9%)	175 (52.1%)
9. I do not want to know my HIV status (n = 175)	59 (33.7%)	116 (66.3%)

Note: n = 336.

Abbreviations: HIV, human immunodeficiency virus; AIDS, acquired immunodeficiency syndrome; n, number.

Table 4 Activities of religious leaders on prevention of HIV/AIDS and care of PLWHA

Variables	Yes n (%)	No n (%)
1. Ever preached about health issues relating to HIV/AIDS (prevention and care) from pulpit to congregation (n = 336)	190 (56.5%)	146 (43.5%)
2. Use position as a medium to educate and inform the congregation about the dangers of HIV/AIDS and how to prevent it (n = 336)	257 (76.5%)	79 (23.5%)
3. *Advocates the following among members of the congregation on HIV/AIDS (n = 257)
a. Abstinence for the unmarried	200 (77.8%)	57 (22.2%)
b. Use of condoms (safe sex)	118 (45.9%)	139 (54.1%)
c. Single partners (for the unmarried)	144 (56.0%)	113 (44.0%)
d. Monogamy (for the married)	158 (61.5%)	99 (38.5%)
e. Marital faithfulness	246 (95.7%)	11 (4.3%)
4. Organization has programs currently being run aimed at educating members on preventive measures against HIV/AIDS (n = 336)	196 (58.3%)	140 (41.7%)
5. *Types of programs (n = 196)
a. Health education talks/seminars	179 (91.3%)	17 (8.7%)
b. Youth forums	173 (88.3%)	23 (11.7%)
c. Volunteer counseling units	141 (71.9%)	55 (28.1%)
d. Voluntary HIV testing (free screening test)	76 (38.8%)	120 (61.2%)
e. Medical checkups for intending couples	111 (56.6%)	85 (43.4%)

Note:

* Multiple responses.

Abbreviations: HIV, human immunodeficiency virus; AIDS, acquired immunodeficiency syndrome; PLWHA, people living with HIV/AIDS; n, number.

Table 5 Association between activities of religious leaders/religious organization and knowledge, attitude, and practice scores categories

Variable score	Yes n (%)	No n (%)	x^2 values	df	P-value	Remarks
Individual role (ever preach)
Knowledge score	159 (55.2)	129 (44.4)	1.472	1	0.225	NS
Attitude score	172 (60.8)	111 (39.2)	13.063	1	<0.001	S
Practice score	182 (57.1)	137 (42.9)	0.656	1	0.418	NS
Organizational role (have program)
Knowledge score	167 (58.0)	121 (42.0)	0.100	1	0.752	NS
Attitude score	172 (60.8)	111 (39.2)	4.409	1	0.036	S
Practice score	186 (58.3)	133 (41.7)	0.002	1	0.966	NS

Abbreviations: df, degrees of freedom; NS, not significant; S, significant.