Inter-religious Cooperation for HIV Prevention in Uganda

A Study among Muslim and Christian Youth in Wakiso District

Dados Bibliográficos

ID4906067
AutoresMagid Kagimu (Islamic Medical Association of Uganda, P. O. Box 2773, Kampala, Uganda, autor correspondente), D Guwatudde (0000-0003-3563-0224, Makerere University), Charles B Rwabukwali (Makerere University), Charles Rwabukwali (Makerere University), Sarah Kaye (0009-0001-1643-4095, Islamic Medical Association of Uganda, P. O. Box 2773, Kampala, Uganda), Yusuf Walakira (Islamic Medical Association of Uganda, P. O. Box 2773, Kampala, Uganda), Dick Ainomugisha (Islamic Medical Association of Uganda, P. O. Box 2773, Kampala, Uganda)
Ano2011
Volume2
Fascículo4
Páginas707-728
Data de publicação2011-12-20
Peer ReviewedSim
Open AccessSim
TipoARTICLE
PeriódicoReligions (JOURNAL)
Identificadores do periódicoISSN: 2077-1444 • E-ISSN: 2077-1444
EditoraMDPI AG (PUBLISHER • IT)
DOI10.3390/rel2040707
OpenAlexW2165831421
IdiomaEN
Citações recebidas3
Referências citadas12

Inter-religious cooperation has been recommended to address various issues for the common good. Muslims and Christians in Uganda are working together on HIV prevention in this spirit. A study was done to compare HIV prevalence and HIV-risk behaviors between Muslims and Christians. A total of 2,933 Christian and 1,224 Muslim youth between 15-24 years were interviewed and tested for HIV. The HIV prevalence was significantly lower among Muslims (2%) compared to Christians (4%). Muslims were more likely to be circumcised, avoid drinking alcohol and avoid having first sex before 18 years. These behaviors which may have led to lower HIV infections among Muslims are derived from Islamic teachings. Muslim religious leaders need to continue to emphasize these teachings. Christian religious leaders may need to consider strengthening similar teachings from their faith tradition to reduce new HIV infections among their communities. Muslims and Christians working together as good neighbors, in the spirit of inter-religious cooperation, can generate evidence-based data that may assist them to improve their HIV prevention interventions. By sharing these data each community is likely to benefit from their cooperation by strengthening within each religious tradition those behaviors and practices that appear helpful in reducing new HIV infections

Faith · Family medicine · Geography · Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) · Islam · Psychiatry · Psychological intervention · Sociology · Theology · Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health · Gender Studies · HIV/AIDS Research and Interventions · Medicine · Psychology · Religion, Society, and Development