Religious communities and HIV prevention: an intervention study using a human rights-based approach.

Religious communities have been a challenge to HIV prevention globally. Focusing on the acceptability component of the right to health, this intervention study examined how local Catholic, Evangelical and Afro-Brazilian religious communities can collaborate to foster young people's sexual health and ensure their access to comprehensive HIV prevention in their communities in Brazil. This article describes the process of a three-stage sexual health promotion and HIV prevention initiative that used a multicultural human rights approach to intervention. Methods included 27 in-depth interviews with religious authorities on sexuality, AIDS prevention and human rights training of 18 young people as research-agents, who surveyed 177 youth on the same issues using self-administered questionnaires. The results, analysed using a rights-based perspective on health and the vulnerability framework, were discussed in daylong interfaith workshops. Emblematic of the collaborative process, workshops are the focus of the analysis. Our findings suggest that this human rights framework is effective in increasing inter-religious tolerance and in providing a collective understanding of the sexuality and prevention needs of youth from different religious communities, and also serves as a platform for the expansion of state AIDS programmes based on laical principles.

Seropositivity, homosexuality and identity politics in Brazil.

PIP: This paper focuses on the emergence of HIV seropositivity as a new identity, closely linked to male homosexuality, in Brazilian culture. Two distinct conceptions of seropositive identities that emerged in the Brazilian HIV/AIDS movement were examined. These two differing conceptions have taken shape as the basis for social action and activism around AIDS-related issues such as prevention, treatment and care. The first of these conceptions suggest that all people whose lives have been touched by HIV and AIDS can work together, based on principles of solidarity, in seeking to respond to the epidemic--whether or not they were themselves directly infected with HIV. The second, more specific conception suggests that those infected by HIV share a number of common experiences that distinguish them from others, while at the same time recognizing the specificity of homosexual men as opposed to heterosexual women or injecting drug users. Despite the differences, the two conceptions promote various common purposes such as the social integration and participation of HIV-positive persons in confronting AIDS, fighting for better life conditions, defending civil rights and breaking clandestineness and isolation. The differences appear mainly in the ways of organizing and political and social representation.^ieng

Overcoming prejudice.

PIP: People of African descent comprise a large proportion of Brazil's population. While racism exists in the country, it is commonly denied. Most Afro-Brazilians live in poor areas, with poor health care services, sanitation, schools, and transport. Since HIV is linked to poverty, Afro-Brazilians are more affected by HIV than is the overall population. Although Afro-Brazilians contribute to Brazil's culture, they do not benefit from that contribution. Recognizing this considerable social problem, Project Araye was created in 1996 to address issues of race and HIV. Building upon religious and cultural traditions, the project is staffed by Afro-Brazilians who are knowledgeable in both health issues and Afro-Brazilian culture. Project Araye supports a wide range of diverse community leaders in linking sexual health and HIV with other health concerns which affect Afro-Brazilians such as sickle-cell anemia, diabetes, and leprosy. One important challenge has been overcoming the target population's denial of HIV and encouraging Afro-Brazilians to accept that HIV also affects them. Community leaders include religious leaders, rap musicians, artists, and other people respected by various communities. Activities include visits to samba dance schools, Umbanda and Candomble temples, and street youth groups to provide HIV-related information.^ieng