Feasibility and Outcomes of an HIV Testing Intervention in African American Churches.

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1-2019

Identifier

DOI: 10.1007/s10461-018-2240-0

Abstract

The updated National HIV/AIDS Strategy recommends widespread HIV education and testing and calls the faith community to assist in these efforts. Yet, limited information exist on church-based HIV testing interventions. This study examined feasibility and assessed HIV testing outcomes of Taking It to the Pews (TIPS), a multilevel HIV education and testing intervention. Four African American churches were matched and randomized to TIPS or a standard-information control arm. Intervention churches delivered the religiously-tailored TIPS Tool Kit, which included educational materials to individuals and ministry groups; pastoral activities (e.g., sermons preached, receipt of HIV testing role-modeled), responsive readings, and church bulletin inserts in church services; and HIV testing during church services and church outreach events. All churches delivered 2-3 tools/month and coordinated 3 HIV testing events. At 12 months, significant increases in receipt of HIV testing (59% vs. 42%, p = 0.008), and particularly church-based testing (54% vs. 15%, p < 0.001), relative to controls were found. TIPS has great potential to increase reach, feasibility, and impact of HIV testing in African American churches.

Journal Title

AIDS and behavior

Volume

23

Issue

1

First Page

76

Last Page

90

MeSH Keywords

Adolescent; Adult; African Americans; Attitude to Health; Community-Institutional Relations; Feasibility Studies; Female; HIV Infections; Health Promotion; Humans; Male; Mass Screening; Middle Aged; Religion; Religious Personnel; Serologic Tests; Social Stigma; Young Adult

Keywords

Community-based participatory research; Faith-based; HIV testing; Multilevel model; Religiosity; Sexual risks; Theory of planned behavior

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