The Role of the Church in HIV Prevention Education in Borno State

Borno State in the North East geopolitical zone has experienced severe healthcare system disruption due to insurgency, creating heightened vulnerability to HIV transmission in communities with limited access to public health education. The church, as a trusted community institution, can fill critical gaps in HIV prevention education. This study examines the current role and potential of the church in HIV prevention education in Borno State. A descriptive survey design was adopted, with questionnaires administered to 160 church members and fifteen pastors from seven churches in Maiduguri, Biu, and Bama. HIV knowledge levels, attitudes toward prevention, and church engagement with HIV education were assessed. Findings indicate that HIV knowledge is low among 54 percent of church members, with misconceptions about transmission routes prevalent. Only three of seven churches surveyed have any active HIV prevention programming. Fear of moral controversy deters pastors from addressing HIV prevention directly in church settings. Community trust in church-provided health information is high, creating an underutilised communication channel. The study concludes that the Borno State church community is uniquely positioned to deliver HIV prevention education but is constrained by theological hesitancy and capacity limitations. It recommends a partnership between the Borno State Ministry of Health and church bodies to develop faith-sensitive HIV prevention materials and train church health workers.

Keywords: HIV prevention, church education, Borno State, North East Nigeria, faith-based health