The HIV & Maternal Health Learning Hub
The Learning Hub focused on evidence for the activity and impact of Local Faith Communities on HIV/AIDS and Maternal Health, with special attention to Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission of Aids (PMTCT) and to the role of skilled birth attendants.
Learning Hub members worked together to understand what is already known about how faith groups impact HIV and maternal health.
Hub Co-chairs
Azza Karam, UNFPA
Christo Greyling, Word Vision International
Julie Clague, University of Glasgow
Sally Smith, UNAIDS
Key Findings
FBOs’ involvement with HIV is diverse and often extensive in outreach:
- 1 in 5 HIV responses is faith-related (WHO 2004)
- A comprehensive worldwide mapping of FBO HIV responses has not been undertaken and that there is little reliable national data (Keough, et al., 2007)
FBOs’ involvement with Maternal and Child Health services are common:
- 90% FB health facilities in sub-Saharan Africa offer maternal and newborn services (Chand & Patterson 2007
- In Uganda, 50% of MCH provided through FBOs (USAID & Access 2007)
- Services provided by FBOs in 6 African countries rated quality of care and satisfaction better than public sector services (Widmer et al 2011)
What do we know
- Publications indicate that FBO responses to HIV are holistic, addressing livelihoods, nutrition, stigma, gender equity, psychosocial and spiritual support, and advocacy concerns alongside health needs (Strategies for Hope, 2012)
- Judgmental attitudes of some religious leaders and communities can increase stigma and discrimination (Courtney, 2011).
- Women and poorest reached, but limited services with key populations including MSM, CSW, IDU and gender equality.
- A tendency among some FBOs to use programmes as a means to proselytise (Gaul, et al., 2011).
SPOTLIGHT
Religion and Sustainable Development Conference Video sessions
Expert Commentators:
Sally Smith (UNAIDS), Robert J. Vitillo (Caritas Internationalis), Nicta Lubaale Makiika (Organization of African Instituted Chruches), Christo Greyling (WVI), Frank Dimmock (Presbyterian Church), Christoph Benn (Global Fund)
Past Hub Events
APHA’s 2017 Annual Meeting & Expo
2017-11-04
00:00:00
UTC
Going Viral: Religion and Health
2017-10-14
00:00:00
UTC
WCC Workshop on mapping Christian health services
2017-10-10
00:00:00
UTC
One Accord Forum and Expo
2017-10-09
00:00:00
UTC
Faith-based approaches to Family Planning
2017-09-28
09:00:00
UTC
5th Annual Global Missions Health Conference
2017-09-07
00:00:00
UTC
National Faith HIV/AIDS Awareness Day Ambassadors
2017-08-27
00:00:00
UTC
CCIH 31st Conference- Strengthening Global Health: Faith at the Center
2017-07-13
00:00:00
UTC
