AEGiS-14IAC: A rapid study of the knowledge and attitudes about HIV of the leaders of muslim communities in India.

14th International AIDS Conference


Barcelona, Spain - July 7-12, 2002

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A rapid study of the knowledge and attitudes about HIV of the leaders of muslim communities in India.

Int Conf AIDS 2002 Jul 7-12; 14:(abstract no. LbPeF9053)

Alam S, Manning G, Durrany K, Siddiqui N, Siddiqui G, Akhtar N, Alam M
Sharan - Society for service to urban poverty, New Delhi, India

ISSUES: Religious leaders are important members of Muslim communities. They can act as catalysts or barriers in the development of responses to HIV. They do not exert their influence in isolation, but as parts of broader networks of influence. The need for a multi-sectoral response to HIV extends to Muslim communities because of specific community structures and not because of peculiar risks.

DESCRIPTION: A rapid study was undertaken to inform a strategy for Muslim communities in India to support effective HIV prevention and care activities. It aimed to identify the knowledge and attitudes about HIV and responses to HIV of influential members of two different Muslim communities, linked by the families who live and move between them. The study also set out to identify and acknowledge the different roles of various leaders.

ISSUES: Knowledge about HIV is largely restricted to medical practitioners. HIV is perceived as a medical and a moral issue, with medical practitioners and religious leaders waiting to be consulted on it rather than actively disseminating information. Teachers and family heads are eager to learn and communicate about HIV, yet do not have the information to do so. Islam offers a foundation for community care. Men and women have different knowledge, needs and roles. There is little identification between the communities and HIV, which is scientific information without a local history, or a visible human face, and is understood as ?coming from outside?.

RECOMMENDATIONS: Intentionally disseminate information in Muslim communities to create an enabling environment within the existing structures. Affirm the roles of religious leaders and medical practitioners as consultants, by enabling them to provide good information. Affirm and develop the latent inquiry within the community so they can access good information. Awareness about HIV should include a social dimension as well as medical and religious dimensions.

Keywords: AEGIS, HIV Infections, Islam, Knowledge, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, Attitude, HIV Seropositivity, Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice, Family, Attitude to Health, India, Human, Female, MaleKWDaegis,hivinfections,islam,knowledge,acquiredimmunodeficiencysyndrome,attitude,hivseropositivity,healthknowledge,attitudes,practice,family,attitudetohealth,india,human,female,male

020707
LbPeF9053

Copyright © 2002 - International AIDS Society (IAS). Reproduction of this abstract (other than one copy for personal reference) must be cleared through the IAS.