An investigation into the knowledge levels, attitudes, beliefs and practices of evangelical and pentecostal christians in Zimbabwe regarding HIV and AIDS prevention strategies

Abstract

This study is an investigation into the knowledge, attitudes, beliefs and practices of Pentecostal Christians regarding HIV prevention strategies. This chapter presents and explains the background, justification, problem statement, objectives, theoretical and conceptual framework, definition of terms and the order of presentation of the study. 1.2 Background Human Immuno Virus (HIV) is an incurable viral infection which destroys the immunity system of a person thus exposing it to diseases (UNAIDS 2010). In Zimbabwe and other countries, HIV has emerged as a deadly disease which is caused by high prevalence of STDs, multiple sexual relationships and traditionally low use of condoms (Ministry of Labour and Social Services (MoLSS) 2010). According to the same source, poverty and the relatively low health status of much of the population including low nutrition, low status of women and unequal gender relations, settlement patterns and worker migration, aversive cultural practices and low levels of male circumcision are other factors which contribute to the HIV infections. There is a need to therefore design and implement comprehensive HIV polices so as to reduce the effects of the pandemic. In the past 22 years from the year 1987, HIV infected 40 million people who are now living with the virus, and it also orphaned 4 million children (Southern Africa HIV and AIDS Information Dissemination Service (SAFAIDS) 2009). The infection levels are still high for many developing nations; Botswana (24.8 percent), Lesotho (23.6 percent), and Swaziland (25.9 percent), and there is need for increased joint efforts to further reduce the rates (Joint United Nations Program on HIV and AIDS (UNAIDS) 2010). However, the HIV prevalence rates are decreasing at varying rates in many nations. A good example is Zimbabwe whose HIV infection rate decreased from 23.7 percent in 2001 to 13.7% percent in 2010 (Ministry of Labour and Social Services (MoLSS) 2010). There is also need to have increased joint efforts to reduce the infection rates in Zimbabwe (United Nation Development Program (UNDP) 2010). The epidemic has since 10 stopped being regarded as an individual health issue to a social issue which affects all aspects of life. It thrives where there is poverty, human rights violations, child abuse, racism, ageism, gender inequality, classism, HIV stigma, international injustice and violence thus making the most vulnerable groups to be vulnerable to it. Moreso, the epidemic affects the social, economic, political, psychological and spiritual lives of people (Dube 2004). Amongst the Christians, it raises questions like: Does God care, does God hear prayers or heal, and is God punishing us? The damaging effects of HIV therefore call for a multisectoral approach which sees to it that every individual and institution plays a role in mitigating the pandemic. HIV was generally referred to as a public health issue, however, the church finally joined the struggle to ensure that there is a holistic approach in fighting the pandemic