Impact of Faith-Based Initiatives

USAID published a document by Edward C. Green in September, 2003 that evaluates the impact that faith-based organizations (FBOs) have had on the HIV/AIDS epidemic. He makes several points in favor of using FBOs in the fight against AIDS, because experience has shown that the involvement of religious leaders and faith organizations has been a key factor in stabilizing or even effecting decline in the HIV prevalence rates.

One of the cases given is that in Uganda, which has experienced the most significant decline in HIV infection of any country in the world. Between 1991 and 2000, national infection rates went from around 21% to just over 6% among pregnant women. Extensive evaluation of factors that contributed to this decline indicated that a significant effect was due to the advocating of abstinence and fidelity by religious organizations and other opinion leaders (political leaders, school authorities and traditional healers). The Uganda model focused on the ABC’s:

A – abstinence
B – being faithful
C – condom use as a last resort

Members of the religious community in Uganda, including Roman Catholic, Anglican and later, Muslim faiths, became significantly involved in preventive efforts using this model. There was also a significant educational effort done in the schools. Surveys by the World Health Organization showed a decrease in premarital sex for both men and women aged 15-24, as well as a 2-year delay in the onset of sexual intercourse among these youths being evident by 1997. In the age range of 15-50, about 7% of women and 10% of men have adopted complete and sustained abstinence for HIV protection. There was also shown to be an increase in condom use, but the more effective changes in behavior were related to fewer partners and delay of sexual debut.

Our Board of World Mission is actively working with the Moravian Church in Tanzania, already showing an impact on the care of orphans and on the transmission of HIV from mothers to their newborns. The BWM is now proposing to work with our partners in Nicaragua and Honduras, as well as in the Caribbean, to prevent the epidemic proportions of HIV/AIDS in those countries. Potential projects could evolve around the issues of:

Congregational educational forums

The Board of World Mission staff, as well as members of the HIV/AIDS Advisory Board, is available to congregations to coordinate education and resources when possible. Please contact the BWM offices or staff directly with specific needs.

Local Ministry Opportunities

Seek out your local HIV/AIDS Networks and consider volunteering with them. This is an excellent way to learn more about the related issues and to put a “face” on the problem.

Ways to Provide Support

Designated contributions can be sent to:

The Board of World Mission
PO Box 1245
Bethlehem, PA 18016
bwm@mcsp.org

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