Faith can be a risk factor for HIV in Africa.Uganda's success in significantly reducing HIV/Aids prevalence and new infection rates in the last ten years is a sign of hope in turning the tide of Aids in Africa. Uganda is often seen as an example for other African countries. Christian communicators from around Africa gathered in Kampala in March 2004 to take part in a meeting sponsored by the Africa Region of the World Association for Christian Communication on "Aids in Africa: Communicating for Behaviour Change." The two-day seminar was hosted by the Uganda Media Women's Association. Speaking at the seminar, Flavia Kyomukama, Director of Ugandan AIDS helpline helpline Noun a telephone line set aside for callers to contact an organization for help with a problem helpline n → teléfono de asistencia al público , explained how faith can be bad for your health. Kyomukama, a teacher, mother of three and abandoned wife, is a member of the management committee of the National Community of Women Living with HIV/Aids, and is Director of Uganda's Support on Aids and Life through Telephone Helpline. She shocked some at the gathering with her statement that "faith is a risk factor for HIV/Aids for many people." She went on to explain that she did not mean only religious faith, but faith in general. Many women have been with only one man and have faith in and are faithful to their husband, and yet they contract HIV HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus), either of two closely related retroviruses that invade T-helper lymphocytes and are responsible for AIDS. There are two types of HIV: HIV-1 and HIV-2. HIV-1 is responsible for the vast majority of AIDS in the United States. . Many women and men have faith in their pastor who tells them they are healed heal v. healed, heal·ing, heals v.tr. 1. To restore to health or soundness; cure. See Synonyms at cure. 2. To set right; repair: healed the rift between us. in the name of God. Confident in the words of their pastor, they then marry without seeking voluntary testing and counselling, and soon an infected in·fect tr.v. in·fect·ed, in·fect·ing, in·fects 1. To contaminate with a pathogenic microorganism or agent. 2. To communicate a pathogen or disease to. 3. To invade and produce infection in. child is born. Many other women are led by faith-based attitudes towards divorce and submission promoted by church groups to remain in marriages that endanger en·dan·ger tr.v. en·dan·gered, en·dan·ger·ing, en·dan·gers 1. To expose to harm or danger; imperil. 2. To threaten with extinction. their health and lives. "Church women imagine they are happily married and safe. The church encourages them to be submissive sub·mis·sive adj. Inclined or willing to submit. sub·mis  sive·ly adv.sub·mis to their husbands and not to question them." What does this mean to a woman whose husband has suddenly returned home after a long absence? She is also concerned about churches that say that 'God can do everything you ask and all is possible'. When it comes to HIV/Aids, this can be dangerously misleading, according to according to prep. 1. As stated or indicated by; on the authority of: according to historians. 2. In keeping with: according to instructions. 3. Kyomukama. As a member of the choir choir [O.Fr.] 1 A group of singers; traditionally the chorus organized to sing in a church. Usually, Roman Catholic, Anglican, and Lutheran choirs are composed of men and boys, but occasionally in these churches and customarily in other Protestant , she is at her church in Kampala five times a week for choir practice, weekly Bible study Bible study may refer to:
On International Women's Day International Women's Day (IWD) is marked on March 8 every year. It is a major day of global celebration for the economic, political and social achievements of women. 2004, the official theme in Uganda was about revealing the female face of HIV/Aids. She went to her church that day and found only silence on that subject. She would like to see her church make announcements every Sunday about HIV/Aids services available. She has given her church information about the Aids helpline, but nothing has ever been said to the congregation about it. Kyomukama points to other problems with the "be faithful to your partner" message. First, it assumes that those to whom it is addressed do not know their HIV status or the HIV status of their partner. She believes it is not helpful to rely on ignorance. Couples should be advised to know their HIV status and take measures accordingly. She refers to those who do not know their HIV status as "anonymous". To rely on faith rather than facts encourages that "anonymity". This type of anonymity is killing people. Second, it contributes to silence about nonsexual means of HIV transmission and maintains ignorance about infection through health care practices, or the local barbershop, for example. Her conclusion: "Be faithful to your partner to avoid Aids" is an inadequate message. Source: www.wacc.org.uk |
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