title: Factors associated with religious congregation members' support to people living with HIV/AIDS in Kumasi, Ghana.
abstract: Physical, social and economic constraints often limit the ability of people living with HIV/AIDS to meet their basic needs. Community members are a valuable source of support for people living with HIV/AIDS, although little is known about the types of support they provide or how to mobilize this support. To examine this issue, a survey of 1200 members of 6 religious congregations was conducted in Kumasi, Ghana. A fifth of congregation members reported providing some support to people with HIV/AIDS in the last 6 months, mostly through prayer, financial support, and counseling. Factors associated with providing support include having heard a congregation or tribal chief speaking about HIV/AIDS, collective efficacy related to HIV/AIDS, and perceived risk of becoming infected with HIV. To enhance support to people with HIV/AIDS, programs should involve community leaders and encourage dialogue on ways to address the epidemic.
authors.affiliation: Department of Population, Family and Reproductive Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 615 N. Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA. ebazant@jhsph.edu
authors.forename: Eva S
authors.initials: ES
authors.lastname: Bazant
authors.forename: Marc
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Boulay
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002835:Christianity; D003256:Community Participation; D005260:Female; D005869:Ghana; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D007514:Islam; D008297:Male; D008402:Mass Media; D008875:Middle Aged; D011584:Psychology; D012069:Religion and Psychology; D012944:Social Support