Testing our FAITHH: HIV stigma and knowledge after a faith-based HIV stigma reduction intervention in the Rural South

ABSTRACT

Eliminating racial/ethnic HIV disparities requires HIV-related stigma reduction. African-American churches have a history of addressing community concerns, including health issues, but may also contribute to stigma. We developed and pilot tested a faith-based, anti-stigma intervention with 12 African-American churches in rural Alabama. We measured HIV-related stigma held by 199 adults who participated in the intervention (individual-level) and their perception of stigma among other congregants (congregational-level). Analyses of pre- and post-assessments using a linear mixed model showed the anti-stigma intervention group reported a significant reduction in individual-level stigma compared with the control group (mean difference: −.70 intervention vs. −.16 control, adjusted p < .05). Findings suggest African-American churches may be poised to aid HIV stigma-reduction efforts.

KEYWORDS:

• Church-based
• faith-based
• African Americans
• HIV prevention
• intervention
• stigma

Acknowledgments

We thank all of the ministerial liaisons and pastors as well as student volunteers who participated in this study. Lastly, we acknowledge the pioneering work of the Christian Council of Ghana whose foundation set the tone for this study.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This study was supported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Program Announcement PS11-003; 5U01PS003320.