A diverse group building a bridge of understanding and healthcare access in coastal Kenya.

Bridging Faith and Health: How Religious Leaders Are Key to HIV Prevention in Coastal Kenya

Samir D’Costa in Health & Wellness August 2025 • 4 min read.

"Discover how an innovative engagement program is transforming religious leaders' attitudes and empowering them to support HIV prevention and care for marginalized communities."

Coastal Kenya faces a significant public health challenge with high rates of HIV, particularly among marginalized populations such as gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM). Compounding this issue is a deeply rooted stigma and discrimination, often fueled by religious beliefs and cultural norms. In this complex landscape, religious leaders wield considerable influence, acting as gatekeepers in matters of health and morality.

Recognizing the critical role of religious leaders, a groundbreaking engagement intervention was launched in coastal Kenya. This program aimed to transform religious leaders' attitudes toward GBMSM and equip them with the knowledge and skills to support HIV prevention and care within their communities. The approach involved tailored activities, including sensitivity training, facilitated dialogues, and collaborative problem-solving.

This article explores the implementation and impact of this engagement intervention, showcasing how it fostered a shift in religious leaders' perspectives and empowered them to become champions of health equity and social inclusion. By bridging the gap between faith and public health, this initiative offers a model for addressing stigma, promoting understanding, and improving the lives of marginalized communities.

From Stigma to Support: Transforming Attitudes Through Engagement

A diverse group building a bridge of understanding and healthcare access in coastal Kenya.

The engagement intervention was initiated following a deeply troubling incident: a homophobic hate attack led by local religious leaders at an HIV research clinic for GBMSM. This event underscored the urgent need to address the negative attitudes and prejudice prevalent within the community.

The program's core strategy was to create a safe and supportive environment for dialogue and learning. This included:

Comprehensive Sensitivity Training: A four-day online course covering topics such as MSM and HIV in sub-Saharan Africa, stigma, identity, anal sex, HIV prevention measures, and mental health.
Facilitated Conversations: Open and honest discussions exploring differences and disagreements related to scripture, mission, HIV, and human sexuality.
Collaborative Problem-Solving: Working together to identify strategies for easing stigma and discrimination within religious communities.
GBMSM Testimonials: Sharing personal experiences of stigma and discrimination to foster empathy and understanding.

Through these activities, researchers observed a remarkable transformation in many religious leaders who initially held negative views toward GBMSM. Many began to express more accepting and supportive views of sexuality, sexual identities, and same-sex relations.

A Path Forward: Building Trust and Collaboration

This engagement intervention demonstrates the potential of collaboration between research institutions, religious leaders, and GBMSM communities. By fostering open communication, mutual respect, and a shared commitment to health equity, it is possible to break down barriers, reduce stigma, and improve access to HIV prevention and care for marginalized populations. Continued efforts are needed to sustain these gains, address relapses, and expand the reach of these programs to create more inclusive and supportive communities for all.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1080/09581596.2018.1447647, Alternate LINK

Title: Engaging Religious Leaders To Support Hiv Prevention And Care For Gays, Bisexual Men, And Other Men Who Have Sex With Men In Coastal Kenya

Subject: Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

Journal: Critical Public Health

Publisher: Informa UK Limited

Authors: Evans Gichuru, Bernadette Kombo, Noni Mumba, Salla Sariola, Eduard J. Sanders, Elise M. Van Der Elst

Published: 2018-04-27

Everything You Need To Know

What specific challenges do marginalized groups face regarding HIV in coastal Kenya?

In coastal Kenya, marginalized groups such as gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM) face high HIV rates. These populations also grapple with significant stigma and discrimination, often stemming from religious beliefs and cultural norms. This combination creates a challenging environment for HIV prevention and care, as individuals may be reluctant to seek help due to fear of judgment or rejection. The existing prejudice is a major barrier to accessing the resources and support needed to manage and prevent the spread of HIV.

How did religious leaders contribute to the problem of HIV stigma in the community?

Religious leaders in coastal Kenya were, at times, gatekeepers in matters of health and morality, which sometimes led to the reinforcement of negative attitudes toward GBMSM. An example of this was a homophobic hate attack led by local religious leaders at an HIV research clinic for GBMSM. Their influence within the community meant their views carried considerable weight, contributing to the stigma and discrimination faced by marginalized groups. Their initial negative views complicated HIV prevention and care efforts.

What were the key components of the engagement intervention designed to change religious leaders' attitudes?

The engagement intervention utilized several key components to foster a shift in the religious leaders' attitudes. These included comprehensive sensitivity training, a four-day online course covering topics like MSM and HIV in sub-Saharan Africa, stigma, identity, anal sex, HIV prevention measures, and mental health. Facilitated conversations were held to explore differences and disagreements, and collaborative problem-solving sessions were used to identify strategies for easing stigma and discrimination. Additionally, GBMSM testimonials were shared to promote empathy and understanding.

What specific topics were covered in the sensitivity training as part of the intervention?

The sensitivity training covered various topics, including the situation of MSM and HIV in sub-Saharan Africa, the impact of stigma, the importance of identity, details around anal sex, the available HIV prevention measures, and the importance of mental health. These topics were designed to provide religious leaders with a comprehensive understanding of the challenges faced by GBMSM and the importance of supportive attitudes. The training aimed to equip them with the knowledge and empathy needed to support HIV prevention and care within their communities.

How does the engagement intervention pave the way for a collaborative approach to HIV prevention and care?

The engagement intervention demonstrates the potential of collaboration between research institutions, religious leaders, and GBMSM communities. By fostering open communication, mutual respect, and a shared commitment to health equity, it is possible to break down barriers, reduce stigma, and improve access to HIV prevention and care for marginalized populations. This collaborative approach acknowledges the influential role of religious leaders and involves them in the process of creating more inclusive and supportive communities. Continued efforts are needed to sustain these gains, address relapses, and expand the reach of these programs.