Reasons for limited responses to HIV/AIDS in certain faith-based ministries : a case study of Cloud and Fire Ministery, Kanye, Botswana

Date
2013-03
Authors
Pinto, Joyce Wanjiru
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
Abstract
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The work of FBOs began to emerge as a specific area of study and discussion in global health, thirty years ago. Despite much work, repeated calls for more clarity, theoretical frameworks, data and empirical evidence, there are still major gaps in knowledge, that impede Africans, their Governments and the international community from making the best choices to improve public health in Africa, especially in this era of HIV/AIDS .In Botswana, the population is being ravaged daily, posing a serious developmental challenge .This study investigated the responses of certain faith based ministries in the Kanye village, Botswana, towards the disease. Cloud and Fire ministries was utilised as a case study. The study was prompted by the observation that the faith community seemed to build wall of silence around the disease with no sense of urgency to act, despite repeated calls by the government, for multi-sectoral interventions . The study utilised an ARHAP research framework, which recognises the role of religion in health care, to argue that churches have intangible assets that can be useful in alleviating the suffering caused by HIV/AIDS. The Walt and Gilson‟s policy triangle framework was modified to replace actors with content in the middle, in order to explore how actors, process and context interact to shape the policy content of FBOs.The study adopted a qualitative and exploratory design. Data was collected through focus group discussions as well as in depth interviews with some key informants. Data analysis was corroborated by research questions that guided the study as well as the thematic areas that emerged .The literature review revealed a wealth of intangible religious assets that can be utilised to alleviate the suffering caused by HIV/AIDS, as well as how certain cultural elements and African health worlds can influence the health seeking strategies of most Africans. The study Results confirmed that Cloud and Fire ministry had not responded adequately to HIV/AIDS mainly due to stigma, and lack of a mission statement for HIV/AIDS .It is hoped that this study will contribute to a deeper understanding on how to engage effectively with FBOs, especially in scaling up care initiatives for PLWHA and their carers.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die doel van hierdie navorsing was om die rol van die Kerk in die bestuur van die MIV/Vigs pandemie te ontleed en te ondersoek. Vir hierdie bepaalde ondersoek is die Cloud and Fire Ministries in die Kanya Vallei in Botswana gebruik. 'n Deeglike literatuurstudie oor die rol van die kerk in die pandemie word aangebied en sekere fundamentele vertrekpunte word geidentifiseer en bespreek. Die Walt en Gilson beleidsraamwerk word vir die bespreking ingespan en die bespreking van die kerklike rol in die pandemie word rondom hierdie beleidsraamwerk toegelig en bespreek. Data is deur middel van fokusgroepe ingesamel en binne kategorieë ontleed en interpreteer. Die definiering van die rol van die kerk is uiteraard baie moeilik en geen definitiewe riglyne kan gegee word nie. As egter in ag geneem word dat mense op grootskaal kerkbyeenkomste op 'n weeklikse basis bywoon, kan geredelik aanvaar word dat die kerk n steeds groterwordende rol in die bekamping en bestuur van die pandemie behoort te vervul.
Description
Thesis (MPhil)--Stellenbosch University, 2013.
Keywords
Church work with the sick -- Botswana -- Kanye, AIDS (Diseases) -- Religious aspects -- Botswana -- Kanye, Cloud and Fire Ministery, HIV infections -- Religious aspects -- Botswana -- Kanye, Dissertations -- Industrial psychology, Theses -- Industrial psychology, Assignments -- Industrial psychology, Dissertations -- HIV/AIDS management, Theses -- HIV/AIDS management, Assignments -- HIV/AIDS management
Citation