HIV/AIDS Ministry in Churches

HIV/AIDS Ministry in Churches

Educating the Church About HIV/AIDS

AIDS Is one of the diseases of the End-Time AIDS causes much preventable death and suffering In our region of the world: (North America, the Caribbean and Latin America), HIV/AIDS should be considered a major health priority Many of our churches are in places where they can help many at risk

Church-based health promotion (CBHP) interventions can reach broad populations and have great potential for reducing health disparities Annu.Rev. Public Health. 2007:28:213-234

Barriers To HIV/AIDS Ministry

STIGMATIZATION PREJUDICE LACK OF KNOWLEDGE FEAR

What is a Stigma? A stigma is a mark of infamy or disgrace

AIDS-Related Stigma, Prejudice, Fear AIDS stigma is expressed around the world in a variety of ways, including: ostracism, rejection, and avoidance of people with AIDS (PWAs) discrimination against PWAs violence against persons who are perceived to have AIDS or to be infected with HIV quarantine of persons with HIV. Rejection from some of the faith community Stigma may discourage people from getting tested and getting help

Christian Protesters

How Those in the Church May View HIV/AIDS: AIDS is a homosexual disease Gay people must be shunned People with AIDS whoever they may be, are getting what they deserve It is shameful to talk about sexually transmitted diseases and AIDS in the church You can get HIV infection from causal contact

The Face of HIV/AIDS:

They Come From All Walks of Life

Getting Started

How The Church Can Help Educate Show Compassion Show that God is love and so is the church!

Pray and make a commitment to your church and your community Learn all you can about HIV infection Get the support of your pastor and key church leaders-give them information Have a group of people in your church to help-do not work alone Be willing to work with other churches and agencies in your community Remember this is a long-term commitment

Plan an Annual Calendar and Events Brief presentations at church services and afternoon programs Bulletin announcements and flyers Ask the Pastor to promote this ministry from the pulpit Get the youth involved-let them make presentations Periodic Seminars with Q&A for the congregation Plan for HIV testing Participate in World AIDS Day: December 1

National HIV/AIDS Strategy for the United States-July 2010 Reducing New HIV Infections Improving access to care and improving health outcomes for persons living with HIV Reducing HIV-related disparities and health inequities Achieving a more coordinated national response to the HIV epidemic The White House

Co-morbid conditions that may contribute to illness Sexually transmitted diseases: gonorrhea, chlamydia, herpes, syphilis Tuberculosis Hepatitis A, B and C Diabetes Obesity Cholesterol disorders Heart disease Depression and Stress

CDC Expanding Partnerships Other federal agencies, state and local health departments Academic institutions Community- and faith-based organizations Entertainment Media Civic and business leaders

In Effective AIDS Ministry: Avoid judgment! Your first priority should not be to convince people that their behavior is morally wrong. This can negatively impact your rapport with the people you are trying to Reach First give life-saving information

Potentially Lifesaving Education: Get The Facts- Know if you are at risk Know how HIV is spread Take action to protect yourself Get Tested- Know your status Do not delay Seek Medical Attention- There is effective treatment Earlier treatment-better outcome

What You Can Do to Help, and Information to Provide: Teach people what they should know about HIV infection Take to doctor appointments Latest treatment for HIV infection Help and information for family member How the church can help with a biblical/spiritual approach Coping with stress and depression Overcoming addictions Community resources Visit people as needed

Preventing HIV Infection Abstaining from any sexual contact Having a mutually faithful monogamous relationship with an HIV free partner Consistent use of condoms which may reduce risk of infection by 80%, but by no means giving complete protection Avoid injection of drugs and shared needles Circumcision in males-this may reduce risk by 60% Frequent testing for HIV infection for potential exposure so treatment can be given as needed and avoid spreading HIV Continual education of all young people on the dangers of unsafe sex practices Remember: One fourth of HIV infected persons or more are unaware they have it

Getting Tested By looking in the phone book you can find places to get tested with state and city health departments Testing is free, anonymous and confidential Some have advised routine screening for all adolescents and adults-in the future universal screening may be advised

HIV TESTING In Your Church

OraQuick Advance HIV-1/2 Store at room temperature Screens for HIV-1 and 2 Results in 20 minutes Some training and certification needed to use Easiest form of testing to use

Collect oral fluid specimens by swabbing gums with test device. Gloves optional; waste not biohazardous

For People in the Church and the Community: They are sexually active They are often not aware of the risks They are often afraid to discuss their sexuality They need to practice safe sex They need to know their status They need to use their influence to help decrease the spread of HIV/AIDS in our communities

Some Questions to Ask Those You are Educating: Can the risk of HIV transmission be reduced by having sex with only one uninfected partner who has no other partners? Can a person reduce the risk of getting HIV by using a condom every time they have sex? Can a healthy-looking person have HIV? Can a person get HIV from mosquito bites? Can a person get HIV by sharing food with someone who is infected?

What Would Jesus Do If He Was Here?

He Would be about His Father s Business! Matthew 9:35-36 (King James Version) And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd We Should Do This Also

Giving Hope and Help to Your Community

And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. Matthew 25:40

Some Helpful Web Sites (Click on these in slide show mode) AIDS & HIV information from the AIDS charity AVERT The Body: The Complete HIV/AIDS Resource Black AIDS Institute - BlackAIDS.org Home The Balm in Gilead CDC Features - Blacks & HIV/AIDS African-American HIV/AIDS Resource Center: HIV & Black Churches

More Web Sites (Click on these in slide show mood) HIV & AIDS in Latin America Caribbean HIV/AIDS statistics USAID Health: HIV/AIDS, Countries WHO The world health report HIV/AIDS - Kaiser State Health Facts