Int J Family Med Prim Care | Volume 2, Issue 4 | Research Article | Open Access
Chirambo L1, Valeta M1, Banda Kamanga TM1* and Nyondo-Mipando AL2
1Department of Public Health, School of Public Health and Family Medicine, College of Medicine, Malawi 2Department of Health Systems and Policy, School of Public Health and Family Medicine, College of Medicine, Malawi
*Correspondance to: Banda Kamanga TM
Fulltext PDFFaith based organizations are partners in provision of HIV services. They have permanent structures in most of the communities which can be a platform for HIV services. Uptake of HIV services is enhanced when faith leaders are supportive. This study explored factors that influence HTC among religious people in TA Chitukula, Lilongwe district. We conducted a descriptive qualitative study with 12 religious leaders and 10 members from 7 different religions using in-depth interviews. We purposively selected sites and participants. We recorded interviews using a digital recorder and were then transcribed and translated. We employed a thematic approach in analyzing the data. Our study showed that prayer has a prominent role in the management of HIV and AIDS. The barriers to HTC include a belief in faith healing, the rules of a specific church and a perception of low risk to HIV infection among religious people. Interventions that could promote HTC include implementation of HIV self-testing, mobile and or door-to-door HIV services, church based HTC services and facility based services that are integrated with other services to preserve privacy. Religious platforms are a platform for HIV services that need to be used more in order to attain the first 90 in the UNAIDS goals
Religion; HIV Testing; Faith based organizations; Prayer
Chirambo L, Valeta M, Banda Kamanga TM, Nyondo-Mipando AL. We Reach to People through Different Means: Factors that Influence HIV Counseling and Testing among Religious People in TA Chitukula, Lilongwe District. Int J Fam Med Prim Care. 2021; 2(4): 1045.