The role of religious leaders on the use of HIV/AIDS prevention strategies among young people (15–24) in Lira district, Uganda

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dc.contributor.authorMurungi, Tom
dc.contributor.authorKunihira, Irene
dc.contributor.authorOyella, Pamela
dc.contributor.authorMugerwa, Moses
dc.contributor.authorGift, Peruth
dc.contributor.authorAceng, Mercy Jane
dc.contributor.authorAbolo, Lydia
dc.contributor.authorPuleh, Sean Steven
dc.date.accessioned2023-11-21T12:24:14Z
dc.date.available2023-11-21T12:24:14Z
dc.date.issued2022-10
dc.description.abstractAbstract Background Young people (15-24 years) bear the highest burden of new infections and are particularly vulnerable because of their highly risky behavior such as early sexual activity. There is paucity of information on the role of religious leaders in the multi-sectoral fight against HIV/AIDS. We examined the role of religious leaders in the use of HIV prevention strategies among young people. Methods A cross sectional study was conducted between March and April 2021 among 422 randomly selected young people in Lira district, Uganda. An interviewer administered a questionnaire to the young people in order to collect quantitative data. A total 20 key informants were purposively sampled and interviews were conducted with religious leaders using a key informant's interview guide. Data was collected on social demographics, HIV prevention messages, and awareness about HIV prevention strategies. Data was analyzed using Stata version 15 using proportions, means, percentages, frequencies, and logistic regression analysis at a 95% level of significance. Qualitative data was analyzed using thematic content analysis and the major themes were generated from the participants' responses. Results About 57.1% (241/422) of the respondents were females. The prevalence of use of HIV prevention strategies among young people was 69.4%. Factors significantly associated with the use of HIV prevention included completing the primary level (aOR 4.95, p< 0.05), completing at least A level (aOR 8.85, p < <0.05), Awareness of HIV prevention strategies advocated for by religious leaders (aOR 0.02, p<0.001), religious leaders provided targeted HIV prevention messages (aOR 2.53, p<0.01), Advocacy for abstinence outside marriage and fidelity in marriage (aOR 35.6, p<0.01), Religious leaders preaching about HIV prevention (aOR 4.88, p<0.001). Qualitative data indicated that a section of religious leaders recommended abstinence/faithfulness. Condom use was the most discouraged HIV prevention strategy. However, most religious leaders agree with the fact that they have a role to play in HIV prevention, which includes sensitization, teaching and organizing sermons about HIV prevention. Conclusion The use of HIV prevention strategies advocated for by religious leaders among young people was nearly 70%. This finding indicates that religious leaders have a role to play in HIV/AIDS prevention among young people in the Lira district. This calls for the involvement of religious leaders in HIV prevention programs tailored to prevent new infections of HIV among young people.en_US
dc.description.sponsorshipResearch reported in this publication was supported by the Fogarty International Center (U.S. Department of State’s Office of the U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator and Health Diplomacy [S/GAC] and the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief [PEPFAR]) of the National Institutes of Health under Award Number R25TW011210. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.en_US
dc.identifier.citationMurungi, Tom, Irene Kunihira, Pamela Oyella, et al. 'The Role of Religious Leaders on the use of HIV/AIDS Prevention Strategies among Young People (15–24) in Lira District, Uganda', PloS One, vol. 17/no. 10, (2022), pp. e0276801-e0276801.en_US
dc.identifier.issnISSN 1932-6203
dc.identifier.issnEISSN 1932-6203
dc.identifier.urihttps://nru.uncst.go.ug/handle/123456789/9344
dc.language.isoenen_US
dc.publisherPublic Library of Scienceen_US
dc.subjectReligious leaders ; HIV prevention; Lira district, Uganda; prevention strategies; young people (15–24)en_US
dc.titleThe role of religious leaders on the use of HIV/AIDS prevention strategies among young people (15–24) in Lira district, Ugandaen_US
dc.typeArticleen_US
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