by Ray Martin

Executive Director, CCIH

Email: ccihdirector@aol.com

 
This special issue of The CCIH Forum focuses on one aspect of what is undoubtedly the biggest new challenge in the field of international health – how to slow down and reverse the spread of HIV and AIDS.

 As both the successes and failures of AIDS prevention experiences around the world are more thoroughly investigated and analyzed, the global community is looking increasingly to churches and religious organizations to play a central role in confronting this destructive pandemic. U.N. agencies, the World Bank, the Global Fund, USAID, and foundations are eagerly seeking to partner with faith-based organizations.

 The major role played by faith-based organizations in the care and support of people with HIV and AIDS has been recognized for years. Now, there is growing attention given to the powerful influence that religious beliefs and organizations exert over the sexual behaviors that drive the epidemic. The “ABC” strategy for AIDS prevention consists of:

A - Abstinence (or delay of sexual debut)

B - Being faithful (partner reduction)

C - Condom use (where one is unwilling or unable to practice A or B).

 We now know that the global explosion of HIV, although continuing in many countries, is not inevitable. Uganda is a shining success story where adult HIV prevalence was reduced from over 20% to a current level of about 6%. Two facts stand out. First, while condoms are playing a role in recent years, the major changes turning the epidemic around in the early stages were the progress in A and B. Second, strong leadership from President Museveni, along with total mobilization of the churches and mosques, schools, community organizations, and leaders at every level, brought about this change. Religious institutions were central to this success.

 The “ABC” strategy is not without controversy, but it is becoming increasingly clear that responsible sexual behavior, as traditionally advocated by churches, is an important key to taming the AIDS monster.