Muslim Community Responses to HIV/AIDS Prevention Messages in Jigawa State: An Islamic Studies Perspective

This study examines how Muslim communities in Jigawa State, North West Nigeria, respond to HIV/AIDS prevention messages from the perspective of Islamic teachings on health, sexuality, and morality. Jigawa State records some of the lowest HIV prevalence rates in Nigeria, partly attributed to cultural and religious conservatism, yet prevention campaigns have often faced resistance when framed in ways perceived as culturally inappropriate. The study adopts a descriptive survey design, administering questionnaires to 250 community members and 20 Islamic clerics across Dutse, Hadejia, and Gumel. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and content analysis. Findings reveal that community members are generally receptive to HIV prevention messages when framed within Islamic moral principles, but resistant to messages that discuss condom use or sexual behaviour explicitly. Clerics play a decisive role in validating or rejecting public health messages at the community level. The study recommends the adoption of faith-sensitive HIV communication strategies, partnerships between the Jigawa State Agency for the Control of AIDS and Islamic scholars, and the development of HIV prevention materials grounded in Quranic health ethics. This research informs public health planners, faith-based health workers, and Islamic educators operating in predominantly Muslim communities. Keywords: HIV/AIDS prevention, Muslim communities, Islamic health ethics, Jigawa State, faith-sensitive communication.