Download Islamic religious leaders` knowledge and attitudes towards AIDS

Scand J Caring Sci. 2010 Dec;24(4):655-62. doi: 10.1111/j.1471-6712.2009.00757.x.
Islamic religious leaders' knowledge and attitudes towards AIDS and their
perception of people living with HIV/AIDS: a qualitative study.
Abu-Moghli F, Nabolsi M, Khalaf I, Suliman W.
Source
Clinical Nursing Department, University of Jordan Faculty of Nursing, Amman,
Jordan. [email protected]
Abstract
PURPOSE:
This qualitative descriptive study explored Muslim religious leaders' perception,
knowledge and attitudes towards AIDS, AIDS prevention and their attitudes towards
people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA).
METHODS:
Twenty Islamic religious leaders (males and females) participated in two audio-taped
focus group discussions. A content analysis approach was used to analyse the data as
appropriate for descriptive qualitative inquiry.
FINDINGS:
The study results showed that Muslim religious leaders do not perceive AIDS as a
major health problem in Jordan, and that following the Islamic values lowers the risky
behaviours. The religious leaders reflected varied responses to PLWHA but they
agreed that they have responsibilities towards the prevention of HIV/AIDS, and that
sex education contributes to healthy behaviours, and consequently to the prevention of
HIV transmission.
CONCLUSION:
The findings of this study provided an insight into Muslim religious leaders'
perception of PLWHA and highlighted the importance of their role in the prevention
of AIDS. The study recommended that health care professionals, including nurses and
health policy makers, should involve religious leaders in all efforts directed at
planning and setting policies aimed at the prevention of HIV/AIDS and the treatment
of infected people. Nurses should be responsible for conducting HIV/AIDS
prevention programs in different settings utilizing relevant religious guidelines and
teachings, in addition to providing holistic care to AIDS patients with emphasis on the
spiritual dimension.
© 2010 The Authors. Scandinavian Journal of Caring Sciences © 2010 Nordic
College of Caring Science.