Abstract
Statement of the Problem
This study examines the status of church-based HIV/ AIDS education and support services provided by African American churches in the Sacramento, California area.
Sources of Data
African American ministers who serve African American churches were surveyed on a variety of issues related to HIV/ AIDS education and support services, and their attitudes and behavior towards the disease.
Conclusions Reached
The African American ministers that participated in this project expressed enthusiasm to confront the many barriers that infringe upon the lives of those infected with HIV/ AIDS. All of the ministers involved with this project, responded that they were interested in talking about HIV/ AIDS from the pulpit. However, there was also an indication of deficiency in the knowledge of how to prepare a sermon speaking about HIV/AIDS. The results showed that the overwhelming majority of the ministers (80%) had spoken with their congregations on the topic of HIV/ AIDS. Almost half of the ministers (40%) had previously sponsored or taken part in HIV/AIDS workshops and disseminated HIV/AIDS educational material in the African American community. However, none of the churches had an established HIV/ AIDS prevention program. All of the ministers were receptive to implementing an HIV/AIDS prevention program, provided that it did not violate church doctrine. The results seem to confirm the much needed involvement of African American churches in providing education and support in dealing with the disease.