Marseille 2007
Marseille 2007
Abstract book
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Abstract #323  -  The importance of religion for people living with HIV in London
Session:
  28.2: Religion and traditional practices (Parallel) on Tuesday @ 11.00-12.30 in 5 Chaired by Veronica Noseda, Herve Richaud
Authors:
  Presenting Author:   Dr Jane Anderson - Homerton University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, United Kingdom
 
  Additional Authors:  Ms Fowzia  Ibrahim, Dr Cecilia  Bukutu, Prof Jonathan Elford,  
Aim:
There is evidence that religious affiliation can promote well-being and provide social support particularly for people with a long term illness such as HIV. Yet relatively little is known about religiosity among people living with HIV in the UK. The objective of this analysis was to examine religious affiliation and beliefs among people living with diagnosed HIV in London
 
Method / Issue:
Patients with HIV infection attending NHS outpatient clinics in north east London between June 2004-June 2005 were invited to participate in the study; those who agreed to participate completed a confidential, self-administered questionnaire. The majority of people diagnosed with HIV in the UK receive their clinical care in NHS outpatient clinics. Consequently an NHS clinic sample is broadly representative of all those living with diagnosed HIV. Respondents were asked about their religion, frequency of attending services and the importance of their religious beliefs
 
Results / Comments:
During the study period, 2680 patients with HIV attended the outpatient clinics of whom 2299 were eligible for the study and 1687 completed a questionnaire (response rate 73% of eligible patients, 63% of all patients). Of the 1687 respondents (median age 38 years), 480 were black African heterosexual women, 224 black African heterosexual men, 758 gay or bisexual men (646 white, 112 ethnic minority), 39 black Caribbean heterosexual men and women and 103 white heterosexual men and women. Nearly all the black African (98.7%) and black Caribbean (91.4%) heterosexual men and women said they had a religion, as did the majority of white heterosexual men and women (80.4%) and ethnic minority gay men (77.3%). White gay men were least likely to say they had a religion (55.9%) (p<0.001). In all groups the overwhelming majority described themselves as Christian. Nearly half (49.6%) the black African heterosexual men and women and black Caribbean women attended a service at least once a week compared with 19.8% of ethnic minority gay men and 8.3% of white gay men (p<0.001). Religious beliefs were very important for three-quarters (76.2%) of black African heterosexual men and women, more than half (61.3%) the black Caribbean heterosexual men and women and just under half (44.6%) the ethnic minority gay men. By way of comparison, less than a third (28.9%) of white heterosexual men and women and only 20.2% of white gay men expressed this view (p<0.001). A quarter of black African men and women as well as ethnic minority gay men said their religious beliefs influenced their use of HIV medication, compared with less than ten percent (6.7%) of white gay men (p<0.001)
 
Discussion:
Religion is central to the lives of many people living with HIV in the UK, especially those from ethnic minorities including black African and black Caribbean heterosexual men and women as well as ethnic minority gay men. Religious belief may have a bearing on treatment decisions for some people. The role of faith leaders in supporting members of their congregation living with HIV in the UK needs to be further explored
 
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