An exploratory study of the factors affecting the provision of church-based HIV and AIDS-related services and activities in Gaborone, Botswana

Abstract

This exploratory, qualitative study focused on one sector of civil society (organized religion) and sought to document Christian church-based HIV and AIDS-related services and activities in Gaborone, Botswana and to determine the principal factors that affect the churches' ability to provide these services. Overall, this study was meant to further the understanding of the role of Christian churches in HIV and AIDS mitigation efforts; to contribute to the body of church-based health promotion literature in countries of the South, and to generate recommendations to facilitate the ability of Christian churches to assist more fully and efficiently in the country's coordinated HIV and AIDS mitigation efforts.

Qualitative data were collected through one-on-one in-depth semi-structured interviews with 13 Christian church leaders and 3 key community informants. The results of this study revealed that churches provide a variety of HIV and AIDS programs, services and activities, yet the varying degree of perceived or actual support available to churches through internal and external social relations had a significant impact on their ability to provide effective HIV and AIDS-related services.