title: Young people, sexuality, and HIV prevention within Christian faith communities in South Africa: a cross-sectional survey.
abstract: Faith communities exert a powerful influence on the life of their members, and studies are needed about how they may be able to influence young people's attitudes regarding sexuality and HIV prevention. Data were collected through a self-administered questionnaire from young people (811), aged 15-24 years, affiliated to the Roman Catholic Church, the Lutheran Church and the Assemblies of God. The majority of participants perceived themselves at risk of HIV infection (53 %). Premarital sexual abstinence was the most frequently (88 %) reported prevention message, followed by faithfulness (23 %), HIV testing (18 %) and condom use (17 %). Furthermore, religious affiliation was associated with education on sexuality and HIV in youth groups, with better information given to members of the Lutheran and Catholic churches. Faith communities need to strengthen their capacity to educate young people in a more holistic way about sexuality and HIV prevention.
authors.affiliation: Department of Women's and Children's Health, International Maternal and Child Health (IMCH), University Hospital, Uppsala University, 751 85, Uppsala, Sweden, elisabet.eriksson@kbh.uu.se.
authors.forename: Elisabet
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Eriksson
authors.forename: Gunilla
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Lindmark
authors.forename: Beverley
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Haddad
authors.forename: Pia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Axemo
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002835:Christianity; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D013019:South Africa; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult