Testing our FAITHH: HIV stigma and knowledge after a faith-based HIV stigma reduction intervention in the Rural South

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Health Disparities
• Community Health Interventions

Background:

• Racial and ethnic disparities in HIV prevalence persist.
• African-American churches play a vital role in community health but can also perpetuate stigma.
• Reducing HIV-related stigma is crucial for eliminating disparities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and pilot test a faith-based, anti-stigma intervention.
• To assess the intervention's impact on individual-level and congregational-level HIV-related stigma.
• To explore the role of African-American churches in HIV stigma reduction.

Main Methods:

• A pilot study involving 12 African-American churches in rural Alabama.
• Development and implementation of a faith-based anti-stigma intervention.
• Pre- and post-intervention assessments measuring individual and perceived congregational stigma among 199 adults.
• Analysis using a linear mixed model.

Main Results:

• The anti-stigma intervention group showed a significant reduction in individual-level HIV-related stigma compared to the control group.
• Mean difference in stigma reduction was -.70 for the intervention group versus -.16 for the control group.
• Adjusted p-value was < .05, indicating statistical significance.

Conclusions:

• Faith-based interventions in African-American churches can effectively reduce HIV-related stigma.
• African-American churches are well-positioned to contribute to HIV stigma-reduction initiatives.
• This approach holds promise for addressing HIV disparities in Black communities.