Title
Kenyan pastors' perspectives on communicating about sexual behaviour and HIV
Abbreviated Journal Title
AJAR-Afr. J. Aids Res.
Keywords
Africa; Christian denominations; churches; condoms; HIV/AIDS; religion; AIDS-RELATED STIGMA; SOUTH-AFRICA; HIV/AIDS; PREVENTION; PEOPLE; MALAWI; Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Abstract
The article presents an analysis of in-depth interviews with 18 leaders of Christian churches in Nairobi, Kenya, regarding the content and context of messages they disseminate to their congregations about sexual behaviour and HIV. The content of messages was nearly consistent across the different denominations. However, three sorts of tensions were identified within pastoral communication about these topics: the need to discuss sex and HIV versus societal taboos against speaking about those issues from the pulpit; traditional cultural norms versus current lifestyles; and the ideals of abstinence and fidelity versus the reality of congregants' sexual behaviour. Although some of the religious leaders accepted the idea of condom use, no denominational patterns were noted on that subject, except with respect to Catholic priests. Pentecostal leaders were notable for describing proactive strategies to address both the ideal/real dilemma and the tension between church norms and current media content about sexuality and HIV.
Journal Title
Ajar-African Journal of Aids Research
Volume
10
Issue/Number
3
Publication Date
1-1-2011
Document Type
Article
Language
English
First Page
271
Last Page
280
WOS Identifier
ISSN
1608-5906
Recommended Citation
"Kenyan pastors' perspectives on communicating about sexual behaviour and HIV" (2011). Faculty Bibliography 2010s. 1668.
https://stars.library.ucf.edu/facultybib2010/1668
Comments
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