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 WACC on "Aids in Africa: Communicating for Behaviour Change." The two-day seminar was hosted by the Uganda Media Women's Association, a WACC member organisation based in Kampala.

"Be faithful to your partner to avoid Aids." In Uganda, this ubiquitous message has been part of government efforts to control the Aids pandemic. It's a message enthusiastically promoted by those churches that speak about HIV/Aids. The message about faithfulness as a way to avoid Aids was movingly challenged by openly HIV positive, (or "HIV reactive" as it is now starting to be said in Uganda) Christians who spoke at the gathering."