Spiritual leaders’ experiences of a comprehensive HIV stigma reduction intervention

Abstract

HIV is a deadly reality in South African communities, where people living with HIV (PLWH) do not only face physical sickness but also severe stigmatisation. Literature shows that spiritual leaders (religious leaders/traditional healers) can have a very meaningful role in the reduction of HIV stigma. This article reports on part of a comprehensive community-based HIV stigma reduction intervention with PLWH and people living close to them, which included partners, children, family members, friends, community members and spiritual leaders. The focus of this article is on the experiences of spiritual leaders during and after the HIV stigma reduction intervention. The research took place in both an urban and rural setting in the North-West Province of South Africa and data collection was done by means of in-depth interviews with the spiritual leaders. The interaction with PLWH during the intervention activated new experiences for spiritual leaders: acceptance and empathy for PLWH, an awareness of their own ignorance, a stronger realisation of God’s presence and a realisation that they could inspire hope in PLWH. A greater awareness was created of HIV and of the associated realities regarding disclosure and stigma. The inclusion of spiritual leaders as well as PLWH brought about a positive shift in the attitudes of communities through the increase of knowledge and understanding of HIV stigma. They saw themselves playing a much greater part in facilitating such a shift and in reducing HIV stigma in their own congregations and their communities at large.

Perceptions of church members regarding congregants on antiretroviral therapy in Limpopo Province, South Africa

“…Dzansi et al (2020), highlighted that the substitution of ART with religious practices has resulted in the deaths of some PLWHA, owing to their religious beliefs of discontinuing ART due to beliefs including attendance of prayer camps and sessions of fasting for deliverance. Similarly, various religious leaders have been reported to have discouraged members of their congregation from taking ART, encouraging them to use other religion-based remedies (Kruger et al, 2018). These acts resulted in poor health outcomes among some PLWHA (Dzansi et al, 2020).…”

“…Several organisations are, however, involved in the war on HIV that is sometimes viewed as retribution from God for earthly sins and in communities that are less accessible to the government. In many instances, congregants are responsible for the condemnation of PLWHA as immoral persons (Kruger et al, 2018).…”

“…Some religious leaders have been reported to be discouraging church congregants from taking ART rather than encouraging members with HIV to use alternative religion-based remedies such as water. Such a situation stigmatises and creates a discriminatory environment for PLWHA where they are categorised as immoral and atoning for their sins (Kruger et al, 2018). Regrettably, some patients become weaker and experience headaches, dizziness, and nausea during their dogmatic religious pursuits (Dzansi et al, 2020).…”

Nurse Support on Health Cadre Empowerment and the Influence on the Ability of Women’s Mentoring Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome

“…This condition is almost the same in several countries, public awareness is still limited among fellow sufferers or peer support groups [25]. The participation and support of the wider community from elements of influential people such as community leaders, closed people, and spiritual leaders were still low [26], [27], [28]. Community involvement programs are still segmented, not comprehensively addressing the problems of PLWHA.…”