Implementation of HIV Interventions Into Faith-Based Organizations: Models and Methodological Considerations

Acceptability of HIV Prevention Approaches Among USA Faith-Based Leaders

HIV/AIDS disproportionately impacts underserved communities in the USA. This study evaluated the acceptability of partnering with faith communities to improve HIV prevention, screening, and engagement in care with a focus on Hispanic/Latinx (H/L) communities. We engaged faith-based leaders to identify how the cultural competence and foundations of trust within these communities may be leveraged to improve HIV-related healthcare access for underserved groups including H/L individuals. Using a semi-structured qualitative interview approach, we interviewed N = 20 faith-based leaders in Providence County, Rhode Island (RI). Data were analyzed using the framework approach which utilized inductive generation of themes and systematic grouping into predetermined categories. Seven of the 20 interviewees self-identified as H/L faith leaders and discussed needs specific to H/L communities including destigmatization of HIV, increased access to care, and partnerships founded on mutual respect. The other 13 faith leaders did not personally identify as H/L but all served communities with significant H/L populations. We included these individuals given their communities already performed HIV and/or other health outreach and could provide insight into what approaches could be adapted to the needs expressed by H/L leaders. All interviewees were accepting of developing partnerships with outside organizations to engage in HIV prevention, and all identified potential solutions to identified barriers. Results suggested that faith-based outreach should be further investigated as a method of improving HIV prevention in the general and H/L populations.

Correlates of HIV-Related Stigmas Among African American Church-Affiliated Populations in Kansas City

HIV-related stigmas contribute to disparities, and contact with HIV-positive individuals has been suggested to reduce stigma. Faith-based organizations have been recognized as important to stigma reduction efforts among African American populations; however, relatively few church-based studies have measured HIV-related stigma. This study uses baseline data (N = 1,448) from a study with 14 African American churches in Kansas City, Missouri and Kansas, to examine correlates of HIV-related stigmas among church members and community members accessing church social services using two previously validated scales that measure discomfort interacting with individuals with HIV and anticipated stigma or rejection. Knowing someone with HIV was associated with lower discomfort, even after adjusting for sociodemographic characteristics and sexual risk, HIV knowledge, previous communication about HIV at church, and mean drug and homosexuality stigmas. Knowing someone with HIV was not associated with anticipated stigma or rejection after adjustment. Contact-based interventions hold promise for reducing discomfort around people with HIV among church-affiliated populations.

The geographic reach of community-based organizations in addressing HIV-related stigma in the Deep South

Community-based organizations (CBOs) have been instrumental in addressing the needs of people living with HIV, however, little is known about their efforts to address HIV-related stigma through stigma reduction efforts. This study examined practices of CBOs related to mitigating HIV-related stigma in nine Deep South states. CBOs were surveyed as part of a larger study through the Gilead COMPASS Initiative. The CBO survey asked CBO leadership about stigma in their communities and services available to address this stigma. Survey respondents (n = 207) indicated that HIV-related stigma was perceived as a substantial barrier to both HIV care and CBO services. Although just over two-thirds of survey participants reported that there were group-level programs to address HIV-related stigma, 73% reported that there were not enough interventions to meet the need in their community. Further, 68% reported a lack of individual-level stigma reduction interventions. A majority reported a lack of public media campaigns to address stigma and a lack of training available to assist CBOs to address stigma. In addition, services to address stigma were reportedly less available in rural areas compared to their urban counterparts. Study findings indicate a need to identify, implement, and scale-up effective interventions to reduce HIV stigma in the US Deep South.

Identifying barriers, facilitators, and implementation strategies for a faith-based physical activity program

Background

Community engagement is critical to the acceleration of evidence-based interventions into community settings. Harnessing the knowledge and opinions of community leaders increases the likelihood of successful implementation, scale-up, and sustainment of evidence-based interventions. Faith in Action (Fe en Acción) is an evidence-based promotora-led physical activity program designed to increase moderate-to-vigorous physical activity among churchgoing Latina women.

Methods

We conducted in-depth interviews using a semi-structured interview guide based on the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) at various Catholic and Protestant churches with large Latino membership in San Diego County, California to explore barriers and facilitators to implementation of Faith in Action and identify promising implementation strategies for program scale-up and dissemination. We interviewed 22 pastors and church staff and analyzed transcripts using an iterative-deductive team approach.

Results

Pastors and church staff described barriers and facilitators to implementation within three domains of CFIR: characteristics of individuals (lack of self-efficacy for and knowledge of physical activity; influence on churchgoers' behaviors), inner setting (church culture and norms, alignment with mission and values, competing priorities, lack of resources), and outer setting (need for buy-in from senior leadership). From the interviews, we identified four promising implementation strategies for the scale-up of faith-based health promotion programs: (1) health behavior change training for pastors and staff, (2) tailored messaging, (3) developing community collaborations, and (4) gaining denominational support.

Conclusions

While churches can serve as valuable partners in health promotion, specific barriers and facilitators to implementation must be recognized and understood. Addressing these barriers through targeted implementation strategies at the adopter and organizational level can facilitate improved program implementation and lead the way for scale-up and dissemination.