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Abstract
FCS in facilitation of VCCT guidelines for churches in Nigeria
S.A.U. Musa1, E. Akpo O.2, A. Zakka1, S. Udeoba E.3, P. Mershak B. D.4
1Felloship of Christian Students (FCS), Aid for AIDS/Design for the Family, Jos, Nigeria, 2Fellowship of Christian Students, General Administration, Jos, Nigeria, 3Fellowship of Christian Students, Schools Ministries, Lokoja - Kogi State, Nigeria, 4ACET-Nigeria, Jos, Nigeria
Issues: In Nigeria many church denominations know the importance of pre-marital HIV testing; and make it mandatory for prospective couples as wedding criterion without proper systems for effective pre- and post-counselling/support. While it is clear that HIV testing is important in HIV/AIDS prevention and control, if not well delivered, it could bring about serious complications including, stigmatisation, irrational decisions, HIV/AIDS spread, fast progression of HIV infection to AIDS and early death.
Description: The Fellowship of Christian Students (FCS) has for the past nine years been an HIV/AIDS and lifeskills training provider for churches. Advocacy roles of FCS include facilitating VCCT policy development for two churches in Kogi State, namely: Christian Missions in Many Lands (CMML) and Christian Evangelical Church of Nigeria (CEFN) in order to promote healthy Voluntary Confidential Counselling and Testing (VCCT) for HIV, aimed at HIV/AIDS prevention, quality care and support for persons living with and persons affected by HIV/AIDS in churches and community. Series of focus group discussions were conducted for VCCT needs assessment involving leaders of youth, women, men, pastors and elders/administrative leaders of each of the churches. In workshops, key stakeholders drafted their church specific VCCT guidelines, and pushed through to their respective Councils for approval.
Lessons learned: Each of CMML and CEFN churches developed a set of own specific VCCT guidelines. Involvement of youth and women in church policy development is key to implementation success. CMML and CEFN churches have structures for VCCT services capable of providing necessary information on HIV/AIDS; promoting and sustaining behaviour changes needed for the prevention and control of HIV/AIDS; providing psychosocial and emotional support to those infected and affected; and in encouraging people to willingly take HIV Testing.
Recommendations: Church policy development initiatives should emphasise on involvement of all key stakeholders, especially youth and women.
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