Knowledge and attitudes of religious leaders towards HIV/AIDS

[摘要] ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Religion plays a significant role in the structuring of people's identities andperceptions and also has the potential to playa fundamental role to determinehow communities respond to HIV/AIDS. Faith-based organisations arerespected in their communities and have existing resources, structures andsystems in place. People who are diagnosed with HIV often turn to thechurch where they receive emotional and spiritual support.The primary objective of this study was to determine the knowledge ofreligious leaders about HIV/AIDS and their attitudes towards people living withit. A non-experimental quantitative research design was used in this studyand the data was gathered through a structured questionnaire.The respondents were not exceptionally informed about the transmission ofthe HI-virus, but their knowledge around the risk of specific sexual behaviourwas high and their attitudes towards PLHA generally positive.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University