Murungi Tom, Kunihira Irene, Oyella Pamela, Mugerwa Moses, Gift Peruth, Aceng Mercy Jane, Abolo Lydia, Puleh Sean Steven
Res Sq. 2024 May 8:rs.3.rs-3442966. doi: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-3442966/v1.
Currently, 410,000 new HIV infections among youth occur worldwide, which is a significant public health issue. Members of the clergy can be trustworthy allies in the reduction of HIV infections among the youth. However, little is known regarding their knowledge as well as the perceptions they hold towards HIV prevention among young people. Thus, we explored the knowledge and perceptions of religious leaders regarding HIV prevention among young people (15-24 years) in Lira district.
This was a cross-sectional qualitative study conducted among 20 religious leaders in March 2021 in Lira district. Religious leaders were sampled purposively and recruited from modern religions (beliefs influenced by Christianity or Islam) in Lira district. Guides for key informant interviews were utilized to gather information. Each interview was audio recorded, transcribed, and entered into NVivo version 12 software, and the data was then ready for analysis. The main themes were determined using thematic analysis.
Although a few individuals had some misconceptions, the majority of participants had good knowledge about the transmission and prevention of HIV. Participants knew awareness creation, abstinence, and faithfulness in marriage as HIV prevention strategies and held positive perceptions. Perceived barriers to HIV prevention involvement were lack of knowledge and training, and inadequate resources whereas motivating factors were; being respected, and trusted, and having easy access to young people.
In conclusion, religious leaders show limited HIV prevention knowledge due to religious beliefs, but understand the importance of measures like abstinence. Despite challenges, their involvement is crucial. Addressing knowledge gaps and providing support is vital. Future efforts should emphasize both behavioral measures and interventions like condom use, Post Exposure Prophylaxis, and Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis.
目前，全球青年中每年有41万例新的艾滋病毒感染病例，这是一个重大的公共卫生问题。神职人员可以成为减少青年艾滋病毒感染的可靠盟友。然而，对于他们关于艾滋病毒预防的知识以及对年轻人艾滋病毒预防的看法知之甚少。因此，我们探讨了利拉地区宗教领袖对15至24岁年轻人艾滋病毒预防的知识和看法。
这是一项于2021年3月在利拉地区对20名宗教领袖进行的横断面定性研究。宗教领袖是有目的地从利拉地区受基督教或伊斯兰教影响的现代宗教中抽样招募的。利用关键信息访谈指南收集信息。每次访谈都进行了录音、转录，并录入NVivo 12软件，然后数据准备好进行分析。主要主题通过主题分析确定。
虽然少数人有一些误解，但大多数参与者对艾滋病毒的传播和预防有很好的了解。参与者知道提高认识、禁欲和婚姻忠诚是艾滋病毒预防策略，并持有积极的看法。参与艾滋病毒预防的感知障碍是缺乏知识和培训以及资源不足，而激励因素是受到尊重、被信任以及容易接触到年轻人。
总之，由于宗教信仰，宗教领袖的艾滋病毒预防知识有限，但理解禁欲等措施的重要性。尽管存在挑战，但他们的参与至关重要。解决知识差距并提供支持至关重要。未来的努力应强调行为措施以及如使用避孕套、暴露后预防和暴露前预防等干预措施。
