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01-12-2016 | Original Paper

“Wake Up! HIV is at Your Door”: African American Faith Leaders in the Rural South and HIV Perceptions: A Qualitative Analysis

Authors: Tiffiany M. Aholou, Eric Cooks, Ashley Murray, Madeline Y. Sutton, Zaneta Gaul, Susan Gaskins, Pamela Payne-Foster

Published in: Journal of Religion and Health | Issue 6/2016

Abstract

In Alabama, 70 % of new HIV cases are among African Americans. Because the Black Church plays an important role for many African Americans in the south, we conducted qualitative interviews with 10 African American pastors recruited for an HIV intervention study in rural Alabama. Two main themes emerged: (1) HIV stigma is prevalent and (2) the role of the Black Church in addressing HIV in the African American community. Our data suggest that pastors in rural Alabama are willing to be engaged in HIV prevention solutions; more formalized training is needed to decrease stigma, strengthen HIV prevention and support persons living with HIV/AIDS.

Historically, the Black Belt was known for its rich, fertile dark soils and association with the south’s antebellum plantations, cotton and slavery. Today, the Black Belt, which is largely populated by African Americans, is typically characterized by its demographics and economic downfall (Webster and Bowman 2008; Tullos 2004).

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Title: “Wake Up! HIV is at Your Door”: African American Faith Leaders in the Rural South and HIV Perceptions: A Qualitative Analysis
Authors: Tiffiany M. Aholou
Eric Cooks
Ashley Murray
Madeline Y. Sutton
Zaneta Gaul
Susan Gaskins
Pamela Payne-Foster
Publication date: 01-12-2016
Publisher: Springer US
Published in: Journal of Religion and Health / Issue 6/2016
Print ISSN: 0022-4197
Electronic ISSN: 1573-6571
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-016-0193-z

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“Wake Up! HIV is at Your Door”: African American Faith Leaders in the Rural South and HIV Perceptions: A Qualitative Analysis

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