HIV and Religion in the Congo: A Mixed-Methods Study

Title:HIV and Religion in the Congo: A Mixed-Methods Study

Volume: 11 Issue: 3

Author(s): Michael Hawkes, Eugenie S. Sivasivugha, Simon K. Ngigi, Claude K. Masumbuko, Jason Brophy and Zacharie T. Kibendelwa

Affiliation:

Keywords: HIV, religion, condom, mixed methods, sub-Saharan Africa.

Abstract: Objective: To explore the relationship between religious affiliation and HIV infection in a war-ravaged community in sub-Saharan Africa.

Design: Mixed quantitative and qualitative methods.

Methods: Individuals attending HIV voluntary counseling and testing clinics in Butembo in Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) completed a questionnaire and were tested for HIV infection. Risk factors for HIV seropositivity were explored, with attention to religious affiliation as a potential risk factor. Structured interviews of key informants were used to complement quantitative data.

Results: Three hundred and eighty individuals attending six clinics were enrolled. Nearly all participants (97%) selfidentified as Christian (44% Catholic; 53% non-Catholic Christian). Twenty-eight patients (7.4%) tested positive for HIV. Age>30 years (adjusted OR 47 [95%CI 2.9-770, p=0.007]), married status (adjusted OR 3.7 [95%CI 1.1-13, p=0.037]), and Catholic religion (adjusted OR 2.7 [95%CI 1.1-6.8, p=0.030]) were independent risk factors for HIV seropositivity in a multivariable logistic regression model. Rates of HIV were higher among Catholic than non-Catholic Christian participants in both single and married participants. The proportion of participants reporting condom use as a primary prevention modality did not differ significantly between religious groups; however, within both Catholic and non-Catholic Christian groups, increasing church attendance was associated with decreased use of condoms. Qualitative data highlighted divergent views toward condom use among Catholic health workers.

Conclusions: In this cross-sectional survey in Eastern DRC, Catholic (relative to non-Catholic Christian) religious affiliation was associated with an increased risk of HIV. Increasing dialogue between biomedical practitioners and religious leaders may strengthen HIV prevention efforts in SSA.

Cite this article as:

Hawkes Michael, Sivasivugha S. Eugenie, Ngigi K. Simon, Masumbuko K. Claude, Brophy Jason and Kibendelwa T. Zacharie, HIV and Religion in the Congo: A Mixed-Methods Study, Current HIV Research 2013; 11 (3) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1570162X113119990002