Can interfaith research partnerships develop new paradigms for condom use and HIV prevention? The implementation of conceptual events in Malawi results in a 'spiritualised condom'.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this intervention research study was to engage senior leaders of faith-based organisations (FBOs) in Malawi in a participatory process to construct an interfaith theology of HIV/AIDS. This process was designed to enhance the capacity of faith leaders to respond more effectively to the HIV/AIDS pandemic. METHODS: An evidence-driven combination of ethnographic and participatory action research methodologies was utilised. Conceptual events-innovative participatory action research processes-were held over the 4-year project and brought together health service providers, policy makers and a non-governmental organisation in partnership with FBOs and grassroots faith-based communities. RESULTS: Through facilitated dialogue, an interfaith theology of HIV/AIDS emerged, resulting in the proposition that a 'spiritualised condom' endorses a 'theology of protecting life'. This proposition was based on the following convictions: (1) life is sacred and to be protected, (2) to kill or murder is a 'greater sin' than the 'lesser sin of infidelity', (3) protection of the innocent is a moral and religious requirement, (4) condoms have the potential to prevent the death of an innocent person and (5) condoms need to be encouraged, even in the context of marriage. CONCLUSIONS: Clinicians, non-governmental organisations, health service providers and policy makers, assisted by health social scientists, can successfully partner with FBOs and their leaders to (1) modify and transform faith-based understandings of HIV risk and (2) bring about attitudinal and behaviour changes that help to address the challenges associated with HIV/AIDS.

Malawi faith communities responding to HIV/AIDS: preliminary findings of a knowledge translation and Participatory-Action Research (PAR) project.

This paper reports on the preliminary findings (year one) of a four-year intervention and Participatory-Action Research (PAR) project in Malawi. Project goals are to enhance the response capacity and effectiveness of Faith Community (FC) leaders to the problem of HIV/AIDS. Ethnographic interviews with FC leaders were conducted. Intercultural training sessions and theological events were also held using a participatory method called conceptual events. Preliminary results indicate a commitment on the part of faith community leaders to enter into a dialogue with other sectors and faith traditions in addressing the common, critical concern of HIV/AIDS. All FC leaders share a common feeling that they are a small moral voice in this fight against HIV/AIDS, drowned out by a 'big voice' promoting condom use by donors and government. FC leaders are expected to present themselves as having an authoritative voice with respect to protecting the soul, but at the same time are sincerely searching for ways to speak about HIV/AIDS in more practical ways. Condoms become a metaphor for resistance. For example, FC leaders wish to know how the message of condom promotion (a behavioural and technical argument) might be grafted onto what they would posit as a moral message of care, prevention and support. This challenge is made even more complex by the quiet assumption to incorporate the truths of African traditional religion (ATR) in the construction of an ecumenical theology of faith, hope and compassion.