Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #117923

Valorie Eckert, MPH¹, Dorith Hertz, MPH², Nyann Biery, MS¹, and Alyssa Shepherd-Moore³. (1) HIV Prevention Research and Evaluation Section, California Dept. of Health Services, Office of AIDS, 1616 Capitol Ave, Suite 74-616, MS 7700, PO Box 997426, Sacramento, CA 95899-7426, (916) 449-5820, veckert@dhs.ca.gov, (2) Office of AIDS, California Dept. of Health Services, 1616 Capitol Ave, Suite 74-616, MS 7700 PO Box 997426, Sacramento, CA 95899-7426, (3) Bauman Curry & Co., P.O. Box 481296, Los Angeles, CA 90048

Issue: African Americans continue to be disproportionately affected by HIV/AIDS. That African American women constitute the fastest-growing HIV-infected population lends evidence to the notion that traditional HIV prevention messages aren't reaching this population. Thus, in order to reach African Americans more effectively, the church is being recognized as an optimal time-honored and trusted forum for health messages within this community.

Description: The state of California came together with key organizations and church leaders to develop a tool providing pastors with information about how HIV/AIDS affects African Americans and guidance on incorporating HIV/AIDS compassion and prevention messages into their ministries. This effort was the first of its kind to introduce a state partnership with church leaders to produce a church-sensitive Guidebook. To assess the receptivity and usefulness of the Guidebook, a convenience sample of 78 churches was surveyed.

Lessons Learned: Church respondents were extremely receptive to the Guidebook, rating it a 4.5 out of a possible 5.0. A majority (72%) gave the highest rating of 5.0. Over half had utilized the guidebook and one-quarter had utilized a sample sermon. Compassion themed sermons were composed more often than prevention. Constructive comments allowed for further Guidebook and program enhancements.

Recommendations: Further in-depth research and evaluation of efforts to reach church-going community members, as well as those efforts of pastors who deliver prevention and compassion messages is the next step toward improving these kinds of communication and prevention programs. Also, expansion to other church-centered cultures, such as the Hispanic community may prove beneficial.

Learning Objectives:

• Understand the purpose of the Pastor’s Guidebook and other materials
• Recognize the potential and critical role of the church in AA community in HIV prevention programs
• Describe the uses of this resource/tool

Keywords: African American, HIV/AIDS

Related Web page: www.healingbeginshere.org

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.