Yale University

Predictors of HIV/AIDS Programming in African American Churches: Implications for HIV Prevention, Testing, and Care.

TitlePredictors of HIV/AIDS Programming in African American Churches: Implications for HIV Prevention, Testing, and Care.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2016
AuthorsStewart, Jennifer M., Alexandra Hanlon, and Bridgette M. Brawner
JournalHealth education & behavior : the official publication of the Society for Public Health Education
Date Published2016 Aug 17
ISSN1552-6127
AbstractUsing data from the National Congregational Study, we examined predictors of having an HIV/AIDS program in predominately African American churches across the United States. We conducted regression analyses of Wave II data (N = 1,506) isolating the sample to churches with a predominately African American membership. The dependent variable asked whether or not the congregation currently had any program focused on HIV or AIDS. Independent variables included several variables from the individual, organizational, and social levels. Our study revealed that region, clergy age, congregant disclosure of HIV-positive status, permitting cohabiting couples to be members, sponsorship or participation in programs targeted to physical health issues, and having a designated person or committee to address health-focused programs significantly increased the likelihood of African American churches having an HIV/AIDS program. A paucity of nationally representative research focuses on the social-, organizational-, and individual-level predictors of having HIV/AIDS programs in African American churches. Determining the characteristics of churches with HIV/AIDS programming at multiple levels is a critical and necessary approach with significant implications for partnering with African American churches in HIV or AIDS initiatives.
Alternate JournalHealth Educ Behav

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